The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-06-23
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ONLY LINE OF ATTACK.

ONLY LINE OF ATTACK.
While it is the duty of the press
of the state to criticize the dema-
gogues now in control of the destinies
of the Nonpartisan league, some con-
structive program must be proposed
also.
1t is the opinion OF considerable
number of people in the state. busl'
ness men as we'll as farmers, that
there are abuses at the great term
inal markets, but socialism such as
practiced by Townley, Coates, Bowen
and Brinton is not the panacea.
Farmers organizations are neces-
sary and no one is hostile to the
league, merely to the socialistic pro-
gram which MIR. Townley and Cover
nor Frazier have mapped out
Like the trained demagogues they
are, Townley. Frazier, ct al, try to
stir up the farmers by telling them
that all criticism urged against the
league leaders is abuse of them be-
cause they are organized The farm
ers of the state are too intelligent
to be led into such an old trap.
But the farmers are going to ask
this question: "If Townley, Frazier
and the rest are not qualified leaders
what have their critics to offer?
What is their program? '
The question is fair one. Unless
the opponents of Townley and Fra
zier have a workable program and a
platform fair to the interests of the
farmers of the state, the league lead
ers will remain in the saddle. Criti-
cism alone will not hoist them from
their perch.
1t is gratifying to note that the con-
vention which nominated Burtness
as the Republican candidate for con-
gress in the First district proposed
something definite in urging federal
inspection and control of the market
ing Of grain.
Townley and Frazier seek through
House Bill "A to foist on the state
an expensive system of state owned
utilities which,, when built, will af-
feet less the prices at terminal points
than the North Dakota farmers gran
aries do row.
The convention platform hits the
nail on the head in this:
1--WE favor national legislation that
will further the best interests of our
state; and. to that end, we endorse
legislation for national inspection
and grading of grain. for the federal
ization of chambers of commerce and
grain exchanges, preventing and pre-
scribing penalties for extortionate
profits exacted by dealers in food
products, to prohibit speculation
therein, and to render the producer q
fair and legitimate return for his la
Dor and investment"
Federal legislation is the only so
luton of the evils that surround ant
are attendant upon the marketing OF
the products of the soil How evident
this is must be apparent to the in
teligent farmers of the state, wher
they realize the absolute failure Of
the leagues grain inspection bill
This bill imposes additional burdens
upon the farmers of the state withou,
affording them any possible relief al
Duluth, Minneapolis, Chicago or Buff
falo, the great grain terminals of the
world.
Townley, Frazier and the rest know
that federal legislation will give the
leaders of the league no plumber fund
no jobs. no political pork and nc
emoluments for the socialistic pack
of henchmen at their backs
The farmers of North Dakota are
gradually learning that House Bill A.
was mere ruse to rob the schoo
fund and squander the millions held
in trust for the present and future
generations on wild dreams of social
ism.
For weeks past The Official organs