New-York tribune., 1919-04-01
w IHEN the state Capitol of North
wv Dakota was built at Bismarck it

was located a mile or more away
on the plains, on the theory that the metrop-
oils would speedily grow out to it. 1t is
striking location, a slight rise of ground,
buttes and bad lands in the distance, with
rolling fields of snow as far as the eye
carry. But the city has never reached the
Capitol, and it stands isolated and bleak in
way symbolic of the whole status of repre-
sentative government in North Dakota.
There is no question that it was failure,
relative failure of representative govern
ment that made the present socalistic move
ment possible. Townley is political genius.
But he could not organize what was not
there In fact, the discomfort of long
standing, the feeling of abuse and help
lessness widespread and intense.
The Cranger's Feud
Of course the quarrel between farmer
and townsman is an old story, pervading
the West beyond the Mississippi 1t seems
to be fundamental, in part based on jeal-
ousy and plain misunderstanding. 1t was
the basis of the old Populst party; it has
been the basis of every greenback craze since
the nation was founded.
But in other states the farmer, while still
discontented (and justly so in some impor-
tant respects) has nothing to compare with
the grievances of the North Dakota farmer,
and his HicrODtont iS rlV active
bitter. That is largely because the farmer
in other states has not been as politically
ineffective as in North Dakota. He knows
he can get what he wants in time. The
birth of the Nonpartisan League was due
Immediately to a blunt defiance of farmer
sentiment by the state Legislature, ncon-
ceivable to-day in most states. Let it be
remembered that the rural population forms
85 per cent of North Dakota. There are only
five towns in the state of more than 5000
population, the largest, Fargo, having 1900
inhabitants Yet with these overwhelming
numbers the farmers were openly defed by
the state Legislature
The Insult
The quarrel eliminated in a way that has
become historic. A state legislator named
Twichel, lost his temper before delegation
of farmers come to plead for q state elevator
and said to them "Go home and slop your
hogs' Or, at any rate, that is the popular
version. 1t is probably too good to be true
But it has been taken up by the leaguers
built into song and has become their war
cry.
Tho far,r1 al yIrha oil hat
farmers wanted in 1914 would have cost ex-
actly $4,000. 1t is now agreed that it would
have been failure-too small to succeed
But the farmers wanted it; they had voted
for it many times; their wish clear.
Perhaps the legislators showed practical
business sense in refusing the appropriation.
They certainly not representing their
constituents They deliberately fout-
ing them. AS a result, instead of one $4,000
elevator the state faces elaborate
socialistic programme to cost many millions
Grievances
The specific grievance aimed at here was
the misgrading of wheat 1t is the charge
of North Dakota farmers that the millers of
Minneapolis have for years done them out
of millions by grading their wheat lower
than it should be graded, by dockage and
other devices
There has been some improvement in late
years, but conditions are still unsatisfactory.
1t seems clear that genuine grievance ex-
lists, based on the helplessness of the indi-
vdua farmer to bargain or inspect and the
monopolistic strength of the miller. Gov
ernmental regulation might have remeded
Co.p forY
certainly could have done so. But the North
Dakota farmer made no headway. Therefore
he wished to build state terminal elevator.
The railroads another source of great
complaint Other farming states have been
equally bitter, but after hard fights most
of the injustces have been remedied. That
is the story in Iowa, for example In North
Dakota discrimination in favor of the millers
Of Minnesota and against local industries
is still alleged to exist. 1t forms an impor
tant part of the popular feeling which as
serts that the Northern Pacific influence
exercises a controlling force in North Da-
kota politics.
Dear Interest
The interest rates mortgages form the
third large grievance. The average rate is
declared to be 8A per cent, though in the
older and more fertile sections, the Red
River lands to the east, the rate is much
lower, close to per cent. The Federal farm
loan act is supplying money at low rate
and has done something to relieve the stu
alton. 1t has thus far supplied about
eighth of the annual total needed by North
Dakota farmers. The banker has been
looked upon by the farmer as his natural
enemy. The banker is held to be to blame
for the high interest rates. In fact the new
ness of North Dakota farming and the great
hazards Gin one-crop state, lacking rain
L. lalf Lox- L. ;4ell