Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-12
SUBSIDIES AND INTERESTS

Two statements which are often made are that senti-
ment in favor of war has been worked up by a subsidized
press and that this sentiment has been promoted by NUM-
lions manufacturers who saw In war an opportunity for
greater profit. Both statements are false.
The only Subsidized press that has been shown to
exist in this country is that section Of the press which was
subsidized by agents Of the German government to spread
a German propaganda. The facts in relation to that are
matters Of record. 1t was shown, and in the face of the
evidence 1t was admitted, that large sums Of money had
been distributed among certain papers, chiefly those circu-
lating among the German-speaking element Of the popula-
ton OF the United States. for the publication of articles
favorable to the German cause. There has never been
produced a scintilla of evidence to show that a dollar in
money or a dollar in value, directly or indirectly. has ever
been received by an American newspaper for the publica-
ton of articles friendly to the Allies.
For nearly or quite three years hundreds, If not thou
sands of German secret agents have been at work in the
United States. making plans of factories and bridges. spy
ing upon individuals, and in every imaginable way collect
ing Information which might be of service to their gov
eminent Is 1t conceivable that the most deliberately organ
ICED spy system in the world is 30 deplorably clumsy and
inefficient that in three years 1t has been unable to obtain
a scrap of Information on an important fact which, II it
exists. must necessarily be known to hundreds or thousands
of individuals? Isn't it about time for those who talk about
a subsidized press to put up or shut up?"
AS to the munitions feature. what are the facts? Amer
lean munitions manufacturers certainly did not precipitate
the war in Europe. Some of them have made millions by
1t. They have been kept working UP to the capacity of
their plants. and new plants have been erected by many Of
them for munitions purposes alone. But when 1t became
probable that the United States would become a beligerent
one after another of these nen rendered to their own gov
eminent the use of their plants on terms very much less adj
vantaseous to themselves than the terms which they were
getting from foreign governments. Copper, for instance,
has been selling Of late at enormous prices; but with the
prospect that the United States would need copper in large
quantities, the copper men cut the price away below what
1t had boon. fixing the price at the average for a number
Of years past, an offer which was gladly accepted by the
government.
With the United States an onlooker the manufactur-
ers were at liberty to get what they could for their wares.
and to retain what they got. With the United States at
war. many of them have voluntarily reduced prices, and
those who expect exorbitant rates will find their prices
cut perforce. In addition to this, their profits will be tax
ed, and super-taxed, and taxed again. The situation seems
to be that as a business proposition the munitions men
would have made more money with the United States at
peace than with her at war.