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.
The digitization of these papers has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding Updates to the Food Stamp Plan for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 14, 1941
William Langer
This letter dated April 14, 1941 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to William Beyer marks the receipt of Beyer’s letter from April 8, 1941, and informs Beyer four counties still have not been placed on the Food Stamp Plan, all of which “have Indian population," but that “a scheme has been fixed up that will result in the Reservation being treated as an institution with all the Indians except those on WPA or some other work getting stamps.” Langer writes that he is working with Milo Perkins in an effort to be of assistance. The letter is CC-ed to John Collier.
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Inauguration of a Food Stamp Plan for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 8, 1941
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Text of Letter from Senator Langer to Petitioners Regarding US Senate Bill 584 and $400,000 Settlement, May 13, 1941
William Langer
This document contains the text of a letter dated May 13, 1941 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to to a group of members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation who had sent Langer a petition.
Langer begins by acknowledging receipt of the petition and and pledging to do all he can to secure the passage of US Senate Bill no. 584 which, he writes, "provides that $400,000 be appropriated by the [US] Treasury in full and final settlement of all claims and demands of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. He adds that this amount will be deposited to the credit of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation and draw interest in accordance with existing laws.
See also:
Letter from E. N. Perkins to Senator Langer Regarding $400,000 Settlement, April 5, 1941
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Letter from E. N. Perkins to Senator Langer Regarding $400,000 Settlement, April 5, 1941
E. N. Perkins
This letter, dated April 5, 1941, from E. N. Perkins of Nishu, North Dakota, to United States (US) Senator William Langer informs Langer that a delegation of four is leaving by car from the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Perkins writes: "We have authorized authority from the three tribes, namely, Gros Ventre, Mandans and Arikaras, in regard to our claim of $400000 [sic], we also have a lot of unfinished business.
See also:
Text of Letter from Senator Langer to Petitioners Regarding US Senate Bill 584 and $400,000 Settlement, May 13, 1941
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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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Letter from Wisconsin Adjutant General Ralph Immell to Governor Langer Regarding Cancellation of his Visit, August 3, 1938
Ralph M. Immell
In this letter from Wisconsin Adjutant General Brigadier General Ralph Immell of the Wisconsin National Guard to North Dakota Governor William Langer, Immell conveys his regrets that he has had to cancel his plans to travel to Bismarck.
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Letter from Walter C. King to Governor Langer Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 21, 1938
Walter C. King
In this letter, dated September 21, 1938, from Sargent County, North Dakota (ND) State's Attorney Walter C. King to ND Governor William Langer, King makes reference to the foreclosure case International Harvester Company vs. Edna Rehak, writing that the law firm representing International Harvester has written to him claiming that they have been advised that the moratorium on foreclosure in the case is about to be lifted.
King suggests that Langer contact the Rehaks and find out whether they plan to continue farming. If so, King recommends that the moratorium not be lifted.
See also:
Letter from Governor Langer to Walter C. King Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 27, 1938
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Speech by Governor Langer on Lincoln's Birthday, February 11, 1938
Willam Langer
Text of a radio address delivered by Governor William Langer on KFYR on the occasion of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, February 11, 1938. The Governor notes that Lincoln was "the greatest spirit that ever gave itself in behalf of mankind." Langer notes that Lincoln was "a child of the common people," not unlike those North Dakotans listening to the speech. He firmly links the cause of the Nonpartisan League with the historical memory of the former President.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Walter C. King Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 27, 1938
William Langer
In this letter, dated September 27, 1938, from North Dakota (ND) Governor William Langer replies to Sargent County State's Attorney Walter C. King's letter of September 21, 1938 regarding the foreclosure case International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak. Langer writes that he is writing the Rehaks them to let King know whether they intend to discontinue farming and whether they are willing to deliver the farm machinery involved in the foreclosure case to the International Harvester Company.
See also:
Letter from Walter C. King to Governor Langer Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 21, 1938
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Radio Address Delivered by Governor Langer at Dedication of New KFYR Broadcast Tower, January 13, 1938
William Langer
This document contains the typed text, with handwritten notations, of a radio address delivered on Thursday, January 13th, 1938 by North Dakota Governor William Langer to commemorate the installation of radio station KFYR's new broadcast tower. The tower was a 700 foot steel antenna, and for the time was state-of-the-art for radio equipment. After briefly discussing the history of radio, Langer congratulates Mr. Meyer, President of the Meyer Broadcasting Company, on the completion of one of America's tallest radio towers.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Dr. W. W. Alexander Regarding the Resettlement Administration, February 15, 1937
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 15, 1937, from North Dakota Governor William Langer to W. W. Alexander, Administrator at the Resettlement Administration in Washington D.C., Langer thanks Alexander for his considerate and generous attitude towards the state of North Dakota, informing Alexander that the livestock in North Dakota are suffering almost as much as the residents and that there is not much that the Governor can do to rectify the situation.
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Letter from Neil N. Lee of Resettlement Administration to Governor Langer Regarding Report Requests, February 8, 1937
Neil N. Lee
In this letter, dated February 8, 1937, from Neil N. Lee, County Supervisor for the Rural Rehabilitation Division of the Resettlement Administration, to North Dakota Governor William Langer, Lee requests that Governor Langer include a copy of the client's letter with any request for a report on the client's case. Lee goes on to explain that the County Office of the Administration is under a lot of pressure and cannot keep up with the hundreds of families they are responsible for all at one time.
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Letter from Eugene S. Leggett to Governor Langer Regarding Size of Resettlement Grants February 13, 1937
Eugene S. Leggett
In this letter, dated February 13, 1937, from Eugene S. Leggett, acting executive director of the National Emergency Council in Washington D.C., to North Dakota Governor William Langer, Leggett replies to Langer's telegram of Feb. 6 requesting an increase of $7 in the average grant size given to a family by the Resettlement Administration, writing that an increase in that amount would exhaust the funds available for existing grants.
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Letter from J. N. Mendro to Governor Langer Regarding Langer's Radio Address in Support of the Welfare Board, February 4, 1937
J N. Mendro
In this letter, dated February 4, 1937, from Executive Secretary J. N. Mendro of the Williams County Welfare Board to North Dakota Governor William Langer Mendro congratulates Langer on his "grasp of the relief situation in North Dakota." Mendro's letter was sent following Langer's radio address of February 1, 1937, in which Langer had spoken out in support of the Welfare Board of the State of North Dakota.
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Letter from Federal Housing Administrator Stewart McDonald to Governor-Elect Langer Regarding National Housing Act, December 9, 1936
Federal Housing Administration
In this letter, dated December 9, 1936, from Federal Housing Administration Administrator Stewart McDonald to Governor-Elect William Langer, McDonald replies to Langer's telegram of December 8, 1936, assuring Langer that there is no attempt to discriminate against North Dakota residents, and explaining that Title I of the National Housing Act will expire on April 1, 1937.
Also included: Letter from J. M. Wilberding asking for a private meeting with the governor to discuss "the future of our organization in this country, and other important matters."
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Report by State Office on Agricultural Conservation Program, December 28, 1936
North Dakota Office of Agricultural Conservation
This report shows payments approved and payments made to North Dakota counties as of December 28, 1936 under the Agricultural Conservation Program.
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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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Telegram From Senator Lynn Frazier to Governor Langer regarding Standing Rock Indian Reservation, January 6, 1934
Lynn Frazier
In this telegram, dated January 6, 1934, from United States (US) Senator Lynn Frazier to North Dakota Governor William Langer, Frazier writes that the Standing Rock Reservation has enough rations and money to take care of all immediate needs and that Langer should expect a report from the reservation in the next week.
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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 California Governor James Rolph, Jr. Regarding Sales Tax on Incoming Interstate Shipments, March 22, 1934
William Langer
In this letter, dated March 22, 1934, From North Dakota Governor William Langer to California Governor James Rolph, Jr., Langer responds to an earlier letter from Rolph regarding pending legislation on the levying of state sales tax on interstate shipments. Langer expresses his support for these bills and pledges 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.
See also:
Telegram from California Governor James Rolph, Jr. to Governor Langer Regarding Sales Tax on Incoming Interstate Shipments, March 8, 1934
Letter from Governor Langer to California Governor James Rolph Regarding Sales Tax Legislation, March 15, 1934
Letter from Governor Langer to Lynn J. Frazier Supporting Regarding Pending Sales Tax Legislation, March 22, 1934
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Letter from Governor Langer to Barratt O'Hara Regarding Radio Address, March 30, 1934
William Langer
This letter, dated March 30, 1934, from Governor William Langer to Chicago radio personality Barratt O'Hara (WCFL "The Voice of Labor") is Langer's reply to O'Hara's letter about Langer's radio address and the importance Langer brought to the show. Langer indicates his solidarity with O'Hara and the thousands of petitioners regarding bond-holders' request for constructive federal legislation.
See also:
Letter from Barratt O'Hara to Governor Langer Regarding Radio Address, March 10, 1934
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Letter from Governor Langer to California Governor James Rolph Regarding Sales Tax Legislation, March 15, 1934
William Langer
In this letter, dated March 15, 1934, from North Dakota Governor William Langer to California Governor James Rolf Jr. Langer is replying to Rolph's earlier telegram regarding pending state sales tax Legislation.
See also:
Telegram from California Governor James Rolph, Jr. to Governor Langer Regarding Sales Tax on Incoming Interstate Shipments, March 8, 1934
Letter from Governor Langer California Governor James Rolph, Jr. Regarding Sales Tax on Incoming Interstate Shipments, March 22, 1934
Letter from Governor Langer to Lynn J. Frazier Supporting Regarding Pending Sales Tax Legislation, March 22, 1934
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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.