Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-10-22
THE MI n ELEVATOR

q 1IHE MILL AND ELEVATOR
The Herald has observed no change in the attitude
Of the residents Of Grand Forks toward the plan Of go
tablishing one OF. mere terminal elevators to be owned
and operated by the state. together with flour mills ad-
jacent to such elevators Is may be desired. Some of the
residents Of the city have been in favor Of such an enter
prise ever since it was first asttated. Others have been
opposed to it on the grounds that the results sought to be
obtained by such an enterprise could be reached better
through the medium Of cooperative ownership by indi-
viduals together with adequate state regulation. Many
Of those who have been doubtful Of the wisdom Of this
experiment have been willing to waive their own views
ment in favor Of the enterprises. That has been the gem
eral local attitude flor some time. and SO far % we are
aware it remains substantially unchanged.
The question Of whether or not such an Institution
should be established is not at this time . debatable one
for practical and immediate purposes. Tha decision has
already been made. The state has decided upon its course.
One mill has already been purchased by the state, and it
is announced that several others are to be bought or erect
ed at interior points in the state. 1t is also definitely de-
cided that a large terminal elevator shall be built and
with it a large flour mill. The question Of where this
large elevator and mill shall be built is not at all related
to wisdom Of the enterprise. The latter subject for the
time being is closed. The buildings are to be erected, and
the institutions are to be operated somewhere. I
The officials OF the state who have this matter in
charge are in duty bound to locate their enterprises at a
place which will be likely to, give the public the best SER
vice at the lowest possible cost. Upon that depends the
success Of thu enterprises and the safety of the peoples
money which will be invested in it. 1t would be nothing
short Of criminal to select an improper location, and
thereby to risk the failure of what its advocates hope will
be a vast benefit to the state and to risk also the large
sums Of money which. are to be expended in construction
work. Without regard to the opinions on the general pol
lev which has hcen docj1od-on h noop1o M Hrood orL
are interested in the location of the plant here for two
main reasons. First, they are citizens of North Dakota.
They are taxpayers Of the state. Their money as well as
the money Of every other citizen is involved in this enter
prise. They desire that it shall be located at a place
where its prospect Of success will be the best possible. and
where it will be able to serve the needs of the state to
the greatest advantage. They believe that these condi-
tons will be met in Grand Forks in the matter Of railway
connections, accessibility to the eastern markets, and the
character of the territory which is Immediately tributary
to Grand Forks. They believe that this city possesses ad-
vantages equalled by those to be found in no other city
in the state, and from their standpoint as citizens of the
state they have urged that this location be selected.
In addition to this general interest they have an in
terest as residents of this city. They realize that every
mill, every factory, every legitimate business enterprise of
every kind which is located here will be beneficial to the
city in innumerable ways. From this standpoint also they
have urged the claims of this location.
Inc seiecuon mas not been officially made at this
moment. There is a very well defined understanding that
it has been unofficialy made. The official choice will
be made by a board Of three men and it is the understand
ing that at least two Of these have come to a decision
which needs only formal ratification at a meeting of the
board. The understanding is that Grand Forks has been
selected as the city. for the first terminal elevator and
large mill. II this is true the selection is in accordance
with sound judgment. and increases the prospect of ulti-
mate success. The formal selection must be made very
soon, as it has been stated by those in authority that work
on the building will be begun this fail so that everything
may be completed in time for the handling of next years
crops. This being true, and our climatic conditions being
what they are,5 final action must be taken very speedily.
The sooner the better.