Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-07-26
E DIT O RIAL
MUTUAL FLUCTUATIONS.

MUTUAL FLUCTUATIONS.
We publish today the resolutions adopted by the meeting held in
this city last Thursday to consider some Of the problems of marketing
and distribution as affecting the people of the state and Of the Amer
lcan people IN general
Old Ben Tillman, not long ago, said in the upper branch of the
American congress:
II wish + didnt have the suspicion that some men are practicing
law in the United States senate
Let us paraphrase Brother Tilman's observation into something
like this:
We wish we didn't have the suspicion that some men are play
ing politics in South Dakota.
We realize the great Importance of the question Of distribution
1t transcends that of all others, next to production, in the present
crisis. Upon it depends justice and equity between the producer and
We admit that so far a the operation Of the railroads in South.
Dakota is concerned, we probably have no especial reason to com
plain, excepting those few instances similar to those to which Mr.
Dougherty of the state railroad commission referred.
But that the resolutions somewhat smack of those that would
negligent in the handling Of the necessities Of life is evident from the
ears containing both coal and wheat, and other products, have been
standing on railroad sidings for months and months, to accommodate
food gamblers and coal spectators.
We admit, also, that the local coal dealers are not responsible
for the high-handed proceedings which have characterized the acts
son charges this against the local dealers.
We admit, too, that 50 far as the governor Of South Dakota is
involved in the situation, he has done and is doing his best, no doubt,
and is entitled to commentator rather than censure.
But that the resolution somewhat smack of those that would
emanate from a mutual admiration society must be conceded when we
understand the personnel of a majority Of the committee appointed
BY the chair. The majority was composed Of
T. Dougherty, Railroad Commissioner.
Il. p. Dickinson, Railroad Superintendent.
SIX. Way, Politician.
And the four chief planks Of the committees resolutions may be
summarized as follows:
congratulating the Railroad Commission.
Congratulatng the Railroads.
Congratulating the Governor.
II Suggesting Price Regulation for Coal.
After felicitating its chairman, who was a member Of the major
ly OF the committee, and another member of the majority, who is a
railroad superintendent, and the governor through the political mem
Der Of the majority, a fourth plank Of inconsequential import, judged
from the space devoted to it and the position it occupies, was thrown
in as a sort of sop, suggesting that the federal government fix the
price of coal as the solution of the ills to which humanity is heir
Let MS not. be misunderstood. So far as the. resolutions, or any
other resolutions or propositions, relate to the solution OF the great
problems confronting the people Of the state and Of the American
people in general, let us commend them to the thoughtful consider
alton of the pubGc-bnt let us not delude ourselves with the idea
that a few self-congratulatory resolutions are going to accomplish
any purpose whatever in lessening the gap between the producer and
the consumer.
What the American people need during these trying times is a
little less resolnting and a great deal more action; a little less politics
and = considerable more equity a little less framboyancy and a little
more eo-operaton.
BY their fruits shall men de known.
Speaking Of wastage, has anybody seriously considered the waste
M our modern system Of craftsmanship. Stand on the street corner
Of any town Of considerable size in the west, and you'll see passing
up and down, during the business hours of a single day, from one to
ashipload of travelling solicitors for this thing and that thing, selling
direct TO the consumer. Who pays this tremendous additional
cost Not the manufactures, surely.