Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-10-28

Christ and all his teachings.
Not An Opportunity For Socialism
Those who are engaged in the business of distribut-
ing the propaganda OF Socialism are ever on the alert to
seize upon any economic development whose progress
may In any way be twisted into an appearance Of the
probable realization Of their desires. Every business dis
turbance, every economic arrangement Is hailed with
joy as the harbinger Of a complete policy Of government
ownership and operation. 1t has been so in connection
with the railroads, ana with the steel strike. and it is
DO now in connection with the probable soft coal strike.
There are those who can. see no solution Of the problem
which is presented in the coal situation other than an
adoption Of complete policy Of government ownership.
and announcement from Washington that the govern
ment is preparedyto take whatever steps might be neces-
sary to keep the mines producing is sure to be Interpreted
IS a triumph for the Socialist advocates.
For one to form a reasonably clear opinion Of the
probabilities in such a case it is necessary to- consider
something of the attitude Of our governmental. agencies,
and when this is done we find that the Socialists have
very little to comfort them In the very nature Of thinss
it has not been possible for congress to declare itself
specifically on the policy OF government ownership as
such. but its attitude as shown in many pieces Of legis-.
lation has been distinctly unfavorable to such a policy.
The attitude Of the president on such a. question is also
highly important because he has it in his power to veto
any bill that may be passed, and this course would rem
e DILL lnOper0CVe unless a 'tWO-thrdS majority
could be secured for it in both houses. What is the. at
ttude of President Wilson on this subject?
In his annual message Of DECEMBER 2, 1913, Presi-
dent Wilson discussed the future Of the railroads. He
offered no solution Of the problem, but passed that duty
on to congress. He did, however, declare himself un-
reservedly in favor of the policy Of restoring the rail-
roads to private ownership under. Jaws which would pro-
vide. for their efficient operation by their owners, and
their effective control by. the publio authorities. He
made it clear that the railroads had been taken over by
the government as a. war measure, and not as any part
of a permanent policy. - @t".
That related to a particular subject but that is not
all the president had to say upon. the relation of govern
nent to industry. In discussing the whole economic
question as it effected every line OF industry he spoke Of
the manner in which industry after industry had been
taken over in whole or in part by the government in
order that their work might be co-ordinated for the
accomplishment of a single, purpose: the winning Of the
war. He presented this matter in a way which left no
doubt or misunderstanding and in his discussion of the
future he emphasized his conviction that the business
of the country. 10 matter what its nature. should be
left to the initiative and the development of those most
intimately associated with 1t. Among those things he
said:
Our people moreover do not like to be
coached and led. They know their own bust
~ ness, are quick aad resourceful at every read
5ustrnent, definite in purpose, and self reliant
In action. Any leading strings we might seek
to put them in would speedily become hope
tessly tangled. because they would pay no atten-
ton to them, and GO their own way. All that
We can DO as their legislative and executive
servants is to mediate q process Of change here,
there and elsewhere a. we may i have heard,
much council as To- the plans INST should be I
formeds and personally conducted - = happy si
S@@consumrnahon but from no quarter hays I seen
M assneral school Of RECONSTRUCTED" emerge