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Audio 586A Tape/Side
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00:00 | Introduction | |
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00:35 | Background of Lois Linse Gleiter
: Born on farm south of Mondovi; at age eight joined junior reserves of Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU); learned history of Farmers Union, recreation, and public speaking. Parents both very active in WFU. Farm “truly a family-type farm” where parents stressed unity and cooperation.
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02:25 | Farmers Union Youth Program
: In junior reserves; began attending local FU meetings. Juniors at age twelve began working on projects and in workbooks; promoted as these were completed. Pins awarded for public speaking on subject relevant to farm life. Cooperation rather than achievement stressed.
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05:05 | Formation of Farmers Union Band
: Lois Linse became very interested in music through WFU and enjoyed performing. She and others formed a Farmers Union Band and played at state fairs, county rallies, and local meetings.
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06:05 | WFU Youth Program Stresses Cooperation
: Members encouraged to help one another.
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07:25 | Promotion in Youth Program
: Children could begin attending camp at age twelve. Five year members promoted to Torch Bearers. Torch Bearers must give speeches on rural life before local meetings. Torch Bearers could also work on such projects as writing, music, or handicrafts.
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08:20 | Kamp Kenwood (Near Chippewa Falls)
: Did not remember another camp before the completion of Kamp Kenwood in 1942. Young people involved in all phases of building Kenwood.
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09:10 | Comments on Kenneth Hones, Former President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union
: Camp named for Kenneth Hones. Lois Linse knew Ken Hones since she was eight. Always “a picture of strength; someone who was a leader and someone whom we could count on who would speak for the farmer.” Although many criticized Hones' harshness, she remembers him as a “big, strong man who knew where he was going.”
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12:15 | Farmers Union Membership Among Lois Gleiter's Neighbors in Mondovi
: Believes that most of Linses' neighbors also belonged to FU local at Alma. No local Farmers Union in Mondovi when Lois Linse was young.
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12:45 | Comments on Edward Linse (Father)
: Edward Linse still active in the Mondovi local of WFU. Area pioneer in Farmers Union and local cooperatives; always willing to help.
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14:15 | Comments on Art Hitt, President of Farmers Union Local in Alma
: Legislator, leader in REA and cooperatives, Hitt and Ed Linse worked closely together.
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15:10 | Location of Farmers Union Meetings in Alma
: Linse family attended FU meetings at the Tell Schoolhouse in Alma.
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15:35 | Organization of Local Meetings
: Meetings half educational and half entertainment. Young people demonstrated Camp experience by conducting part of the program. Incentive for both young people and mothers to attend meetings.
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16:30 | Farmers Union Camp Philosophy
: During mid-thirties camp emphasized peace. Economic conditions in 1930's led FU to stress understanding and problems at home.
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19:45 | Lois Linse at Encampment for Citizenship
: After graduation from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lois Linse attended the Encampment for Citizenship in New York, sponsored by the Ethical Society Cultural Exchange Group of 4-H. Visited many industries and individuals, including Eleanor Roosevelt, during the six-week camp. Studied governments of various types around the world.
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22:45 | Senator McCarthy Attacks the Encampment for Citizenship for Studying Communism
: McCarthy attacked Encampment for Citizenship for stressing communism, although students learned about all forms of government.
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25:00 | Impact of McCarthy's Attacks on Lois Linse Personally
: Applied for a teaching position in Chile under auspices of 4-H. Went to 4-H headquarters in Washington, D.C. because Senator McCarthy's attack on Encampment for Citizenship would jeopardize her chances to teach in Chile.
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00:00 | Introduction | |
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00:35 | Parents Oppose Plans to Teach in Chile
: Surprised that her parents initially opposed her plans to teach in Chile.
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02:05 | Difficulty with Spanish Language in South America
: Had to learn different dialects, as she traveled from northern Chile to southern Chile; people as varied as the geography.
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02:55 | Living with Chilean Families
: Lived with seventeen different families during stay in Chile, but able to talk to and understand all.
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03:35 | Problems in Organization of Exchange
: Organizational problems since this was first exchange sponsored by 4-H with a South American country.
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04:55 | Argentina and Juan Peron
: Traveled to Argentina while Peron persecuting English-speaking people. Lois Linse, however, could pass as a German blond from southern Chile and pretended to be Chilean when police questioned her about photographs she took. Allowed to keep the photographs.
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06:55 | Importance of Speaking Good Spanish
: Lois Linse recommended to national 4-H that only those fluent in Spanish should be sent in the future.
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07:30 | Experiences with South American Food
: Tried everything her hosts offered. Once was served tiny live fish; another time drank a “hot sauce” which was supposed to be a dip.
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10:05 | Interview with 4-H Foundation Upon Return to United States
: Because of expense of Exchange program and problems with other exchanges, Lois Linse “debriefed” upon return.
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11:35 | Interview with 4-H Foundation Before South America
: 4-H Foundation interested in what she would tell the Chileans about democracy, McCarthyism, and so on.
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12:10 | Preparation for Her Visit to Chile
: Studied the history of Chile extensively before her departure.
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13:25 | Mrs. Flossie Harris Asks Lois Gleiter to Interview for Position as Fieldworker for National Farmers Union
: Flossie Harris in 1954 suggested that Lois Gleiter interview for a position as fieldworker for the National Farmers Union (NFU). Field persons needed to inform farm people about organizing FU locals, FU Insurance Program, FU philosophy, legislation on family-type farms, and so on.
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14:55 | Feelings About Becoming a Farmers Union Fieldworker
: Pleased but apprehensive.
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15:35 | Territory Covered as a Farmers Union Fieldworker: Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. [1] | |
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16:15 | Fieldworkers Headquartered in Denver
: Headquartered in Denver, Colorado; returned there after visiting each state to get new assignments and prepare for trip to another state.
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16:45 | Farmers in Some States Fear Link Between Farmers Union and Communism
: Because Senator McCarthy had attacked Farmers Union philosophy as “communistic,” farmers in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois wary of Farmers Union.
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17:25 | Lois Linse Encourages Farmers to Become Informed Politically
: Many farmers unsure of what to believe; one political party frequently dominated a state. Lois Linse suggested state Farmers Unions should have political or legislative leader to inform farmers about legislation affecting them.
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19:20 | National Farmers Union Provides an Old Car for Travel
: NFU provided old car with stick shift, which Lois Linse had to learn to operate.
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20:20 | Anecdote About January Travel in Rocky Mountains
: Drove through the Rockies from Colorado to Montana during snow storm and windshield wipers and lights failed to operate. In Montana, afraid her car might freeze up so she started it every hour. Told others the next morning that her car started because it had Farmers Union tires.
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23:40 | How Lois Linse Performed Her Duties for NFU
: Montana the first state assigned. Role was to educate people about FU insurance program, even though she knew almost nothing about it.
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25:50 | Opinion of Farm People in General
: “Farm people are great.” Farmers willing to help; unafraid to ask questions. If she could not answer a particular question, she would reply later by letter.
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27:00 | Relationship with State Farmers Union Organizations
: Worked closely with the state Farmers Union educational directors. Helped organize locals and promoted “Anxiety Program” which encouraged people to write their representatives. Accompanied state officers to locals and asked what they wanted from Farmers Union.
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29:00 | Farm Bureau Literature Confuses Farmers About Farmers Union
: Farm Bureau literature distorted Farmers Union philosophy.
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00:00 | Introduction | |
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00:30 | How Different Types of Farming Affected Organizing Efforts
: Difficult at times to talk to people about Farmers Union without fully understanding the particular kind of agricultural economy in their areas. Researched states in advance, but still difficult for one raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm to talk to a Virginia peanut farmer or tobacco grower.
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02:30 | Help from Hostess of the State Capitol at Richmond, Virginia
: Helped Lois Linse learn which Senators and Representatives would be helpful and pass on information to others.
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03:45 | Why Farmers in Mountainous Areas of Virginia Want Farmers Union
: Very isolated socially with serious economic problems.
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04:10 | Importance of “Chicken and Egg Money” to Virginia Farm Women
: Farm women depended on chicken and egg money.
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04:30 | Poor Families Hit Hard by Loss of Cow or Crop Failure
: Disastrous for a poor farm family to lose a cow or have crop failure.
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05:00 | Why Virginia Farmers Wanted Farmers Union
: Needed such things as parity, and anxious for a farm organization to help get them.
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05:45 | Organizing the Farmers Union in Virginia
: Farmers in Virginia know little about organizing. Also many people weren't well read; hesitant to join in group social activities. Eventually, people looked forward to dressing up and coming to Farmers Union meetings.
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08:10 | Farmers Union Literature
: Handicraft, Singing Farmers (a songbook), How to Organize a Class, Writing To Your Senators, The Function of the Recreation Director, Farmers Union Notebook.
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08:40 | Why Farmers Union Was Helpful in Organizing Virginia Farmers
: Farmers in Virginia waiting for someone to organize them and Farmers Union appeared at the right time.
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09:40 | Why Farmers Union Needed Fieldworkers in Mid-1950's
: Does not know reasons for Farmers Union particular emphasis on field work at the time but one reason might have been the bad publicity Farmers Union got.
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10:50 | Effect of Bad Publicity on Farmers Union
: In many places, “just the name Farmers Union was not accepted.” Made it difficult for an FU representative. Tried to meet and talk with local people to help them overcome their prejudice against FU.
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12:05 | Comments on Jim Patton, NFU President, and Others at Denver Headquarters
: Much support.
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14:25 | Accomplishments While Organizing for NFU
: Difficult to assess statistically.
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16:30 | Treatment by Farm Families
: Always stayed with farm families and treated very considerately.
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19:50 | Anecdote About Idaho State Farmers Union
: Idaho State Farmers Union scheduled state convention but very disorganized by those unfamiliar with how to organize it. Willing to learn, however, and successful convention resulted.
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22:10 | Anecdote About Meeting in Michigan in Unheated Gymnasium
: Group in Michigan met in unheated gymnasium with Lois Linse to go over materials which hadn't arrived. Led a sing-along to keep warm.
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23:25 | Anecdote About Organizing Summer Camp in Michigan
: Assigned to organize summer camp in Michigan. Organized camp from scratch, although none of campers had ever attended a camp before.
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26:40 | Communists in the Wisconsin Farmers Union
: Not aware of any Communists in the Wisconsin Farmers Union, but had heard rumors of several in the state educational office.
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00:00 | Introduction | |
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00:40 | Reflections on Wisconsin Farmers Union
: Linse family very active in Wisconsin Farmers Union. Parents explained Farmers Union philosophy to Lois and her sister. Parents supportive of her activities in the Union, and made positive suggestions as to what might be improved. Farmers Union stimulated in Lois Linse a lifelong interest in agriculture around the world.
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04:05 | Comments on Jean Long, Former Educational Director of the Wisconsin Farmers Union
: “Always a good friend.” Remembers her from the time she first attended Farmers Union Camp.
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04:25 | Comments on Kenneth Hones, Former President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union
: Very favorable attitude toward Hones. “Just the right kind of a man to be the president of our state organization.”
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04:45 | Linse Family and the Wisconsin Farmers Union
: Linses a very close-knit family. Farmers Union activities complemented and supported family togetherness.
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| End of Interview | |
