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 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.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Daniel McNamara Jr. of Home Owners' Loan Corporation, January 9, 1934
William Langer
In this letter dated January 9, 1934, from North Dakota Governor William Langer to Daniel McNamara, Jr., Associate Counsel of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation, Langer acknowledges McNamara's letter of January 4, and writes that he does not know of anything that would necessitate calling a special session of the legislature in 1934, but that if such necessity does arise he will submit the program that McNamara has referenced and cooperate to secure its passage.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Lynn J. Frazier Supporting Regarding Pending Sales Tax Legislation, March 22, 1934
William Langer
In this letter, dated March 22, 1934, from North Dakota Governor William Langer to United States Senator from North Dakota Lynn J. Frazier, Langer endorses the views of California Governor James Rolph Jr. regarding state sales tax on interstate shipments, as expressed in Rolph's letter, which Langer refers to having enclosed.
Dolph's letter was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Telegram from California Governor James Rolph Jr. to Governor Langer Regarding Sales Tax on Incoming Interstate Shipments, 1934
Letter from Governor Langer to California Governor James Rolph Regarding Sales Tax Legislation, March 15, 1934
Letter from Governor Langer California Governor James Rolph, Jr. Regarding Sales Tax on Incoming Interstate Shipments, March 22, 1934
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Letter from Governor Langer to New Mexico Governor Arthur Seligman Regarding Land Experiment Stations, February 6, 1934
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 6, 1934, from North Dakota Governor William Langer to New Mexico Governor Arthur Seligman, Langer refers to the elimination of appropriated funding for dry land experiment stations from the 1934-1935 federal budget. Langer notes that these stations are funded by both their host states and the federal government, and writes that without this appropriation of $250,000.00 some of the states included in the experiment must bear the full cost or close their stations. Langer asks Governor Seligman to write the President urging reinstatement of the appropriation.
Identical letters were also sent to other governors including Governor Leslie Miller of Wyoming, Governor Edward Johnson of Colorado and Governor Miriam Ferguson of Texas.
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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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Telegram From Governor Langer to John Simpson Regarding Visit to Oklahoma City, 1934
William Langer
In this telegram, dated January 5, 1934, from William Langer to National Farmers Union President John Simpson, Langer writes that he will be in Oklahoma City if humanly possible.
See also:
Telegram from Governor Langer to William Simpson Regarding Visit to Oklahoma City, 1934
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Telegram from Governor Langer to William Lemke Regarding Governors' Conference, 1934
William Langer
In this telegram, dated January 5, 1934, from Governor William Langer to US Congressman from North Dakota William Lemke, Langer writes that he will attend governors' conference if at all possible and will call Lemke the next day.
See also:
Letter from Representative William Lemke to Governor Langer, 1934
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Telegram from Governor Langer to William Simpson Regarding Visit to Oklahoma City, 1934
William Langer
In this telegram, dated January 5, 1934, from Governor William Langer to Oklahoma Farmers Union Editor William Simpson, Langer writes that he expects to be with Simpson on the 16th or 17th of January.
See also:
Telegram From Governor Langer to John Simpson Regarding Visit to Oklahoma City, 1934
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Letter from Representative William Lemke to Governor Langer, 1934
William Lemke
In this telegram, dated January 5, 1934, from US Representative William Lemke from North Dakota to North Dakota Governor William Langer, Lemke suggests that attend a governors' conference in Oklahoma City to present a resolution to Congress asking for the Frazier-Lemke Bill to be passed.
See also:
Telegram from Governor Langer to William Lemke Regarding Governors' Conference, 1934
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Letter from Home Owners' Loan Corporation to Governor Langer, 1934
Daniel McNamara Jr.
In this letter, dated January 4, 1934, from Daniel McNamara Jr. of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation to Governor William Langer, McNamara outlines the goals of the HOLC, formed "to aid owners to save their homes." McNamara also urges the Governor to make HOLC bonds legal investments in North Dakota.
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Letter from Barratt O'Hara to Governor Langer Regarding Radio Address, March 10, 1934
Barratt O'Hara
In this letter, dated March 2, 1934, Chicago radio personality Barratt O'Hara of WCFL ("The Voice of Labor") thanks Governor Langer for his letter of March 2nd, which O'Hara used in a radio address. O'Hara also writes of a crowd of 15,000-20,000 people petitioning the editor of the Chicago American to give publicity support of bondholders' request for constructive federal legislation.
See also:
Letter from Governor Langer to Barratt O'Hara Regarding Radio Address, March 30, 1934
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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.