The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-06-20
PURITY N THE
ADVERTISEMENTS
1t is Demanded by Law Pass
ed by the State Legisla-
ture Last Winter.
NELSON
HOW IT GREW UP
Probably Taken From Some
Other State Just Because
it Looked Good.

senator. A. l.. Nelson Of Rolette,
who publishes the Rolette Examiner
when he isn't attending sessions Of
the legislature, rays the pure adver.
Using law probably was adopted by
somebody who had seer 1t on the sta
tute books of some other state. and
who thought 1t might be. a nice thing
to have in this state. Mr.. Nelson was
not present, his paper being read by
the secretary.
The law was passed by the last
legislative assembly.
This law Is one which Is not par
ticularly obnoxious to any n and.
therefore. no one will be found to op-
pose It," said MI. Nelson. The prin-
ciple involved is good and naturally
appeals to the sense of justice. Fraud
ulent statements should not be per-
mitted for the purpose of inducing
people to buy anything. whether 1t be
blue sky or more tangible merchan-
disc, and a statute of this kind upon
the books will. at least. be q club
which can be %resorted to in extreme
cases even If 1t be in disuse most of
the time. 1t is not a law that will be
invoked frequently and will have lit
tie effect upon the newspaper frater-
nifty. The chances are that recourse
to this law. for the purpose Of prose-
SutlItA dlkCScU NlOkdNlOAA6S "Att 81 -
taken once in a while. and such pros
e~cutions are most likely to take place
in the larger cities. 1t will have little
or no effect in the rural communities.
Will Give Protection.
The practical results Of the law
will be the deterrent effect by virtue
of the mere fact hat the law Is on the
statute books. Naturally where. fraud
ulent representations are made, for
the purpose Of inducing and increas-
ing business, such representations are
made wilfully and knowingly. The
knowledge among advertisers that this
law exists, and that there Is q posi-
bility of prosecution in case OF viola
ton, will have some influence Tor
good, and more caution will be exer-
cised by those who are engaged IN en-.
terprises that are generally promoted
by false and misleading advertising.
In Line With General Trend.
This law is in line with the treno
Of the times. We are trying hard to
obtain purity in elections and Other
political machinery, purity In FOOD
and purity in other lines OF
tured products such as drugs, paints
E!and oils, to say nothing OF purity In
conditions that effect the social iaoric;
This law has been passed IN several
other states, / understand. and num-
Der Of the larger cities have ordinanc-
es that are practically the same as the
North Dakota law. The nee for reg
ulation is probably greater IN y lare-
er cities because 1t Is there that frauo.
ulent and deceptive schemes are most
likely to take place.
Possibilities of Fraud.
"'Great Bankrupt Sale Fire sale
and Great Slaughter Sale Way Be
low Cost are some Of the laring signs
seer in the cities which call to mind
the possibilities for fraud and decep-
ton. The facts must not be misrep.
resented. This does not mean tina
the imagination may not be eflectiveiy
used in advertising copy and that ao-
vertising may not be literary q
tons. but the facts must be closely ad-
with this law in force suspicious
looking advertisements may be invest, T.
ieated BY the states attorney, VINO Is
given SUFFICIENT power under the iaw.
and IL found to be in violation OF It's
provisions, the offender may be pros
ecuted ana, If found guilty. hneo OF
Imprisoned, or both, in the case OF
second %offenses." q