The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-06-26
THE HOME BUILDING LAW.

THE HOME BUILDING LAW.
Whatever other laws the /. v. "A. may have
attacked and referred, they lacked the courage
to bring before the people the law which, be-
ginning July l, will provide citizens of North
Dakota with means to build their own homes.
Neither did the I. Y. A. dare to question the
law which sets aside the one-half mill tax on
all property to raise funds for the payment Of
North Dakota soldiers who have served in the
National army the sum of $25 for each month
they have served.
Yet, if any law passed by the farmers is open
to attack, these could be. In the case Of the
Home Building Law, there might be said Of it
that it is "socialistic," because it puts the state
into a business hitherto conducted by private
persons and corporations, and is like to make
the way hard for the building and loan associ-
atoms and corporations which have fourished
at a high rate of interest-at the expense Of
those hardy souls who, to gain a home would
mortgage their lives here and hereafter, if need
be. Why was not this law set up to be assailed?
Because, socialistic or not, the people appreciat-
ed it's benefits and approved it. They cared not
at all what name it was called by or what par
ty principles it represented. 1t puts men and
women within reach of a home, at a very small
cost, and at a figure much below present rem
tails. To attack such a law would be impolitic
because unpopular. Therefore the nearest ap-
proach to "socialism" in all the farmers pro-
gram was allowed to be accepted without OBJ
jection-just as popular election of United
States Senators, the Initiative and Referendum
and other measures demanded first by the plat
form of the socialist party were accepted with
out demur.
The reason for failure to impugn the law
granting soldiers pay for their service to the
nation is not far to seek. There had been too
much flag-waving, too much patriotism talk,
too much protesting of loyalty and too recently,
tn nornnit If a s11ddon ahO11t.facn whom If oarnn:
to giving the soldiers a mall payment in recog-
milton of their services to the state. There was
d~esultory talk about the fearful increase in tax
alton and sly hints were thrown toward the lad
ded burden" that the half-mill levy would make,
but no direct attack. Yet, if it came to a ques-
ed whether the state has a right to take the
money of it's people and give it to any private
person. The issue was involved in the suit before
Judge Amidon, brought by the Forty-Two Tax
payers. If. it can be shown that the money to
be spent is for a public purpose-it cannot be
spent, according to the constitution. Yet the
League opponents, much as they groaned for
the farmer over his load of new taxes, did not
dare to bring this out openly. For once, Pa
triotism of their own making, closed their
mouths.
This is not to say that neither of these laws
were opposed. Quite the contrary! Both laws
were fought bitterly, but indirectly. Thus the
Home Building Law and the Soldiers Fund Law,
were both to be administered and put into eff
feet by the Industrial Commission. Without,
the Industrial Commission, both laws were en-
pity promises hanging in the statute books.
Therefore the onslaught upon the Industrial
Commission Law in the campaign just closing
and the great pressure brought to bear to en-
compass it's defeat.
Political cowardice dictated silence upon these
two beneficial laws, but political sublety and
chicanery demanded that the attack be made
through a vulnerable channel-the Industrial
Commission. That is the true indication of the
hearts and souls of those who pretend to be
lovers and supporters of the American HON
and the American Soldier. Both would be sac
rificed tomorrow, without scruple, to gain one
point in the political arena. It is not the good
of the people they want. It is to win the game.