William Langer graduated from UND in 1906 and had a long career in politics. He was North Dakota Attorney General from 1917 until 1920 and served twice as Governor: from 1933 to 1934 and from 1937 until 1939. Elected to the United States Senate in 1941, he served until his death in 1959.
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Cartoon: The Langer Ship of State
Leland T. Larson
This undated cartoon by Leland Larson depicts "North Dakota" unloading cargo from the "Langer Ship of State" onto the "N.D. Pier." The cargo is identified as "Tax Free Homes," "Old Age Pension," "Sales Tax," "School Aid," "Security Program," "Moratorium," "Effective Management of State Industries," and "Corp. Tax in Full." While unloading, North Dakota remarks "I've waited a long time for that cargo - but I always knew she'd make port with Captain Langer at the helm!"
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Poster Regarding Senator Langer's Old Age Pension Plan
Old Age Pension Committee
Undated broadside in support of Senator William Langer's old age pension plan. North Dakota Governor John Moses and State Senator Arthur Fowler are both identified as not being supportive of the plan. The poster was published by members of the Old Age Pension Committee: Langer, O.E. (Oscar) Erickson, and P.G. Head.
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"Come Out and Hear Bill Langer" Poster
Unknown
Undated poster for an appearance by William Langer in Bartley Township in Griggs County, North Dakota. Langer promises straight talk in response to A.C. Townley, founder of the Nonpartisan League.
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The Dakota Maverick: the Political Life of William Langer, also known as "Wild Bill" Langer by Agnes Geelan
Agnes Geelan
Agnes Geelan, the first woman mayor of a town in North Dakota and the first woman State Senator in North Dakota, wrote this biography of William Langer in 1975. The book examines Langer's personal life and political career.
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Memorial services held in the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, together with remarks presented in eulogy of William Langer, late a Senator from North Dakota, 1960
United States Congress
The text of addresses delivered in the United States Congress following the death of Senator William Langer on November 8, 1959.
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1938 Primary Election Nonpartisan League Republican Ticket
Allied Printing Trades Council
Poster highlighting the Nonpartisan League Republican ticket for the June 1938 primary election. The bottom of the poster includes the traditional NPL motto: "We'll Stick -- We'll Win."
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The Fighting Governor: the Story of William Langer and the State of North Dakota by John Holzworth, 1938
John M. Holzworth
John Holzworth, a classmate of William Langer's at Columbia University, wrote this biography in 1938. The book examines Langer's life and political history up until his second tenure as Governor of North Dakota, which began in 1937.
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Roosevelt Langer Rally in Odense, North Dakota, 1936
Odense Farmers' Holiday Association
A rally for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Governor William Langer was held on September 27, 1936, at the Odense Hall in Odense, North Dakota. Music was provided by the Thomas Schmidt Orchestra and various food and refreshments were served.
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Cartoon: Governor Langer Saves the Family Farm, 1936
W. H. Shields
W.H. Shields drew this cartoon in 1936, when William Langer was elected Governor for a second time. As a man and his wife look out over their farmstead, the man says, "Well Mother - we won't lose out home now --- Bill Langer is Governor Again." At the couple's feet is an issue of the Nonpartisan League newspaper, The Leader. The headline reads "Langer Declares Moratorium." A cat also is at the man's feet.
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Red Ink's Pictorial Review of the Langer Administration, 1934
Sam Clark and J. E. Melton
This 32 page, anti-Langer magazine was published by Sam Clark of Bismarck in 1934. Composed mainly of cartoons, "Red Ink's Pictorial Review of the Langer Administration" highlights the corruption which Clark felt was endemic in the Langer administration.
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Governor Langer Response to California Governor Regarding Non-Discriminatory Sales Tax Bill, 1934
William Langer
On March 22, 1934, Governor William Langer responded to an earlier letter from California Governor James Rolph regarding non-discriminatory sales taxes within the United States. Langer supported these bills and pledged to exert whatever influence he may have to support their passage.
James Rolph was Governor of California from 1931 until his death in office on June 2,1934.
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Governor Langer to Local Union 106 in Harrisburg, Illinois, 1934
William Langer
North Dakota Governor William Langer responded to Local Union 106 in Harrisburg, Illinois, on March 29, 1934. The Union had written to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt pleading for an end to the machines and technology which have replaced the labor of the American working class. Langer was non-committal in his response thanking the Union for sending a copy of their letter.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Chief of the Army Air Corps Regarding Stratospheric Research Flight, 1934
William Langer
Letter from Governor William Langer to Chief of the US Army Air Corps Benjamin Foulois on February 2, 1934, in support of stratospheric research flight utilizing facilities at Bismarck, North Dakota. Governor William Langer gives an itemized list of reasons that Bismarck, North Dakota would be an ideal location as a base of these flight operations. This stratospheric flight project was an effort by the United States Army Air Corps in conjunction with the National Geographic Society.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Seth Richardson Regarding Bismarck Airport, 1934
William Langer
February 1934 letter from North Dakota Governor William Langer to Seth Richardson, an attorney in Washington, D.C.. Langer notes that he has written two government officials regarding the establishment of an airport near Bismarck and Mandan. Governor Langer favors the development of a site at Ben Carl Ben Eielson Field, three miles west of the Bismarck post office on Highway 10.
Langer closes the letter by asking Richardson to "do whatever you can to help out in this matter."
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Letter from Governor Langer to the NAACP regarding Lynching, 1934
William Langer
In this letter from February 1934, Governor Langer told Walter White, Secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), that he fully supported anti-lynching legislation that had been introduced in the United States Senate.
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Letter from Home Owners' Loan Corporation to Governor Langer, 1934
Daniel McNamara Jr.
Letter from Daniel McNamara Jr. of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation to Governor William Langer on January 4, 1934. McNamara outlined the goals of the HOLC, formed "to aid owners to save their homes." McNamara also urged the Governor to make HOLC bonds legal investments in North Dakota.
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Letter from Minnesota Governor Olson to Governor Langer, 1934
Floyd B. Olson
Governor Floyd B. Olson of Minnesota wrote this letter to Governor William Langer in January 1934 regarding agricultural relief and marketing. This letter was also sent to Governor Tom Berry of South Dakota, Governor Albert Schmedemann of Wisconsin, and Governor Clyde Herring of Iowa.
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Telegram from Nebraska Governor to Governor Langer, 1933
Charles Wayland Bryan
Nebraska Governor Charles Wayland Bryan sent this telegram to Governor William Langer in October 1933 regarding the use of federal tax money to construct public roads. Governor Bryan believed that using funds from the Industrial Recovery Act was a great way to get money into the hands of laborers and that this area of the country needed updated roads.
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Telegram from Usher Burdick to Governor Langer, 1933
Usher L. Burdick
Usher Burdick, President of the Farmers' Holiday Association, sent this telegram to Governor William Langer in October 1933 regarding the loss of a farm owned by Mary Patterson of Westhope, North Dakota. The Association sought to end foreclosures on family farms and worked closely with Langer when the Governor enacted a moratorium on farm foreclosures in 1933.
Usher Burdick served in the United States House of Representatives from 1935 to 1945 and from 1949 to 1959.
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NPL Picnic in Menoken with Govenor Langer, 1933
Capital Publishing Company
Poster advertising an all day Nonpartisan League picnic near Menoken on July 28, 1933. Governor William Langer and Senator Lynn Frazier were the featured speakers, while County Agent H. O. Putman spoke about the about the Farm Adjustment Act.
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Letter to Governor Langer regarding Foreclosure Moratorium, 1933
Clyde Duffy
September 12, 1933, letter from Clyde Duffy of the Sinness and Duffy law firm in Devils Lake to Governor William Langer regarding the moratorium on farm foreclosures in North Dakota. Duffy wrote to Langer asking to be allowed to foreclose on a farm in Rock Lake.
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Farm Credit Association to Governor Langer, 1933
A. S. Gross
October 1933 letter from A. S. Gross of the Farm Credit Administration to Governor William Langer regarding land bank loans. Gross feared that waiving the usual $10 application fee would lead to a rise in "applications from those who were not in special need of financing."
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Telegram from King Haakon VII to Governor Langer, 1933
Haakon VII
Following an invitation to visit North Dakota from Governor William Langer, Haakon VII, King of Norway, responds by noting that a visit to the United States in 1933 would be impossible.
Crown Prince Olav (later King Olav V) eventually visited North Dakota in 1939.
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Congratulatory Telegram to President Roosevelt, 1933
William Langer
Governor Langer sent this telegram to Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the eve of the future President's inauguration on March 3, 1933. The next day, Roosevelt delivered a historic speech and told Americans that the "only thing we have to fear is...fear itself."
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Govenor Langer to Usher Burdick regarding Financial Difficulties of the Odegaards, 1933
William Langer
This letter from October 2, 1933, from Governor Langer to Usher Burdick examines the financial difficulties of the Nils Odegaard of Pekin, as well as the challenges faced trying to overcome them.