The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-26
LATE MAX BASS
FRIEND OF ALL
GREAT NORTHERN IMMIGRATION
COMMISSIONERS ONE or BEST
KNOWN MEN IN NORTH.
WEST.


all his life and one whose accumuia-
ton Of worlds goods as measured in
the present day was small, but whose
contributions to the advancement OF
tine northwest was greater than that OF
any other Individual" is the tribute
paid to Max Bass by one OF his old
friends, Dunkard minister from
South Dakota.
The old preacher dropped into the
Great Northern general ONCE last
week and was informed OF Mr.. Bass
death in Chicago last Monday. The
old man raised his hands above mis-
head and, with tears running down his
cheeks, gave expression TO the above
sentiment, experimenting 1t with the
/ remark that MAX Bass had more per-
sonal friends in the northwest tnan
any other man who ever lived in that
country"
UpbuiIdlng the Northwest.
It is seldom that the death of an In
dividual who occupies no CONSPICUOUS
official position causes as much COM
ment as did the passing of Max Bass.
ton commissioner of the Great North
ern railroad. and who before that time
held similar position as an Official Of
the state Of South Dakota. His life
work was the upbuilding OF the north
west and he considered no obstacle too
great to be removed if II stood in the
way Of stimulating immigration and
civilization in Minnesota, the Dakotas
and Montana.
He was at all times a consistent
booster for the country he loved and
his tact and business knowledge did
much to make the early settlers pros
porous. He was always experimenting
with new ways to make farming prof
table and the results of his expert
ments were freely given to all who
asked. He never considered that he
was working for a salary, but held to
the theory that mis- efforts would be
rewarded by that feeling OF satisfac-
ton man has who does well his duty
when it's accomplishment means the
happiness Of thousands Of persons.
Mr.. Bass was only 56 years of age
at the time OF mis- death, but he had
crowded long life into those years.
He was one of the pioneers in the
Dakotas and worked hard to help
carve out the two states from the vir-
gin land When he first went to what
Is now South Dakota there was not
much there except Indians and "des-
ert" Opinions freely offered by ex-
perts were that the country would all
ways remain a desert, but Bass did
not believe T., and he lived to see the
barren plains bloom with bounteous
crops and to add to his field of effort
by the knowledge that he had started
cultivation Of the so-called arid
foothills of Montana.
Pioneer In Dry Farming.
He was one of the originators Of the
accepted plan of dry farming. He early
saw the necessity Of some means Of
cultivating the millions OF acres that
never could be irrigated, and on which
the rainfall was not sufficient to raise
crops.
Experiments conducted by the rail-
roads and state agricultural schools
proved the means Of discovering a
method Of conserving the moisture for
two years to raise one crop. and as
soon as that mad proved feasible Mr..
Bass spread the news to eli parts OF
the world. He never tired OF talking
to the northwest and lts possibilities,
and was always willing to encounter
and overcome ridicule for his views.
Criticisms, and they mere many, never
served to deter him from his path, and
it is due mostly to his efforts that j.
J. Hill has given so much to the agri-
cultural districts of the country.
Mr.. Bass was born In Austria in
1853. He came to this country when
a small boy, but retained many OF the
characteristics of his countrymen un-
til his death. He was tall and dark,
with a strong and well-marked face
that won him the confidence Of all
with whom he came in contact He
possessed great bodily as we'll as great
mental strength. and was ideally
equipped for the life OF pioneer.
Among the Dig men who wrested the
west from the Indians and made 1t
habitalble for the white man and his
family. none played more important
part than Mr.. Bass.
Right Man for the Place
Early In the seventies the settlers III
the DaaOotas decided they would form
state out Of that territory. but TO
secure statehood o population WIS
necessary. Several plans for increas-
ing the population were discussed, un-
til some one suggested:
Make Max Bass commissioners Of
immigration and turn him loose ait
them"
1t took. Mr. Bass was duly appoint
ed to the place and began the work
OF stimulating immigration; d task he
never relinquished during his life.
When the time FOR asking admission
to the union came 1t was discovered
that two states were possible instead
Of one and local conditions made that
pIaYt advisable. The two ntafaa xxvAra