The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-19
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1918.
A CHANGE Is NEEDED.

Pres. Geo. Lutz OF the North Dakota
Retail Lumbermen's association, in
his annual address before the conven-
ton of that body yesterday afternoon
said:
II is important that organizations
like ours should concentrate their eff
forts primarily upon the legitimate
fuTtherance of their own direct inter-
ests. But should 1t not also be the
duty of men representing the intelli-
gence and the capital. which are held
in trust by the participants in this
convention, to make their voice heard
for ideas Of larger scope? Modern
business imperatively demands simpli-
hcation of method and the elimination
Of waste. While We are striving to
comply with this demand in our own
affairs, We allowed the management of
our public affairs to drift from bad to
worse. When 500 to 1000 bills are in
troduced in a short Legislative session
and finally disposed Of in a few days
in a manner that few legislators can
really tell what they have done and
when the same men can make appro-
priations 50 per cent in excess of the
income of the state, it seems time for
thoughtful men to give this branch of
public business some consideration
with A view to evolving a plan which
will tend to displaCe responsibility
and waste by responsibility and wise
economy. Personally, | feel that the
disregard for law so rampant at the
present time Is largely owing to the
faTcical manner in which laws are made
and unmade.
Mr.. LutS has expressed a thought
in the statement given above that must
have struck every man in North Dako-
Ia who has carefully and thoughtfully
considered the session Of the legisla-
ture which has Just come to a close.
No honest man will deny thai there is
need for a radical change in the
method of conducting state affairs.
The need is so great that he who
run may read
This is not a criticism of the legis-
lstors. 1t is a criticism of the sys-
tenn. Men are elected to go up to Bis
marck and make laws about which
they know absolutely nothing. Laws
are made which are to rule the lives of
hundreds of thousands of people with
less thought thap are given In making
rules for a factory where half a hun
dred are employed. No business man
would tolerate for a minute, the hap
hazard, c~atch-as-catch can method of
running affairs. in his own business
establishment, that are tolerated in
running state affairs.
This condition is not peculiar to
North Dakota. AS the sessions come
to a close in other states the same
criticism is being made. Everywhere
the need for some Improvement over
tho present system is recognized and
commented upon. Down in Kansas II
has been proposed to have a commits
sion form Of government for the state
This of curse is open to a flood o
criticiSm-chief of which is that i
would be going from the frying par
into the fire. AS proposed the com
mission would sit all the time anc
would be under the temptation to con
stantly grind new bills.
The Forum believes with Mr.. Lutz
that this is a question which demand
the immediate attention Of the bes
business men of the state. Some day
a solution will be worked out. Th,
more brains working on the problem
the sooner the day will arrive.