Denver labor bulletin., 1917-03-03
CUT THE PROFIT
OUT OF OUR WAR
NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLA-
TURE WRITES CONGRESS.
Wants President Authorized to Seize
All the Property and Munition
Plants Useful in War Should
Break Come With Germany.
Especial Correspondence.)

Nspecial correspondence
BISMARCK, N. D., Feb. 25.-A
memorial addressed to President Will
son and the congress of the United
States has been passed by the North
Dakota legislature in session here,
empowering the president to seize all
munition plants and other property
which may be useful in carrying on
the war. 1t is proposed by this me-
mortal that if war comes it shall not
be a war for profit. The text of the
document is as follows:
Whereas, there is danger that the
American nation, in spite of the neu-
trality of its people, is about to be-
come involved in the European war of
human slaughter; and
Whereas, it has become apparent
that there is some visible force. carry
ing on a press propaganda to involve
and
Whereas, it is apparent that the
munition. armor and steel plants, and
their allied interests, would be the
gamers in such a conflict; and
Whereas, it is generally believed
that the munition, armor and steel
plants are the parties responsible for
this propaganda;
"Now, Therefore, Be it resolved by
the house of representatives of the
legislative assembly of the state of
North Dakota, the senate therein con-
curing, that we respectfully petit
ton the president and congress of the
United States to do everything in
their power that can honorably be
done to avoid this nations being
drawn into the European conflict of
destruction.
"And we respectfully petition the
president and congress of the United
States to endeavor to maintain abso-
Lutte neutrality with neither favor nor
prejudice toward any of the unfortu-
nate belligerent nations.
"And be it further made known that
it is our firm and unalterable purpose
to support and stand by our nation in
case of war, with our lives and prop
erty.
"And being mindful of the princi-
pies of equity, justice and freedom,
upon which this government is found
ed, we do most earnestly recommend
and request that the congress of the
United States authorize and empower
the president, so far as it is within
their power, in case war becomes IN
evitable, to seize all the property use
full and necessary to the government
in CARRYING on the war, to be used
during the war without .compensa-
ton and to be surrendered after the
war to the owners; such property to
include factories, shipyards, munition
plants, armor plate mills, flour mills,
arms factories, supplies and equip
ment, cloth factories, and such other
property and money as the. govern,
ment may require, to the end that all
our citizens, regardless of social po,,
sition or economic advantage, shall
contribute equally to the common need
and common defense of our nation, SO
that citizens of wealth may be enabled
and compelled to contribute to the
common welfare and need of their
country on the same terms as the en-
listed soldiers or sailors who give
their lives and their all.
"This is to be done only in case of
war under the provisions of martial
law and to the end that justice, equal
ity and fraternity may be fostered and
upheld as between our own people in
the conduct of the defense of our
country's honor, our lives and our
property"