Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-11-20

points with pride to the fact that North DAKOTA i u Ill
only coal producing state In the union none IN RHhos
mines are closed because OF the great Scoal psrike.Ss 10
the fact that North Dakota's mines are producing #sWhi
others are Idle credit Isl given TO Governor FRAZIER Il
whose act y taking possession OF the mines in: the name
Of the state. and under . proclamation Of martial law, il
attributed their continuous operation That tbese, claim.
are not wellfounded becomes apparent upon examination
Of the facts
Governor Fraziers course in this matter has been
uncaled for, unwise, unlawful. and dangerous Il; the
state for the following reasons. among others:
No, strike by North Dakota miners was expected.
nor was ono even remotely probable until the COVER
nor, by his own act, invited it. 8. 4
Disregarding the right of the state to regulate
its own affairs, the governor appealed to an outside
strike leader for permission to use the property of Z
North Dakota citizens and the labor of North Dakota
men in such a way as to meet the needs Of North Da-s
kota residents. u
After the general strike had been declared ille-
gal by a competent federal court, after its promoters.
had been directed to cancel the strike order and bexs
fore there had been time for them to comply, with
this direction,>G Governor Frazier precipitated his dec
laration Of marshal law, preventing the possibility :.
Of resumption OF work through other means.
The governor made no effort to provide for the
operation of. the mines by other than the regularly
employed labor, although other competent labor was
in many cases available. q. 90 > -
In dealing with the emergency created by his
own. act the governor ignored the legislature, the
courts and the constitution Of his state, and, setting
himself up as supreme, authority, assumed the right :.
to dispose summarfly OF an important indus !.
try, this under color Of a proclamation of martial law
issued when no disorder either existed or was threat-E
ened.
The governors own statements and the comment
of the newspapers which support him demonstrate.
that his course was prompted, not by a desire to pro-
vide fuel for the public. but to utilize the general
strike as a means for the permanent socialization of
the mines Of the state. ~
That no strike was imminent until the governor in
terfered is well known. North Dakota miners were not
in the general situation, had no controversies
with their employers, and did not expectNto become par
ties even to a sympathetic strike. The first move in the
OF an interruption in the existing relations was
made by the governor himself in his telegram to Acting
President Lewis OF the United Mine Workers. asking per-
to arrange for the 'operationao of the mines by the
The head of the mine workers for this district saw
the opportunity, and seized 1t. The governor gave as
that IL the men struck he would seize the mines
provide work for them. and at the beginning lie gave
his approval to the monstrous suggestion that 60 per cent
be added, to their wages. this to be devoted to the finan-
>AA VI d Slrlhe WnlCQ Inc 1eQeral Court had
already declared must not-be promoted or supported. The
governor thus showed the miners a way in which they
could strike without the Inconvenience of losing either
time or wages, and they acted in accordance with his sue-
gestion. - =
Had a strike actually occurred without suggestion
from the governor. or had one been threatened, orders
could have been~secured withiDf "a hours from the dis
trict Of supreme court providing for whatever relief
might be necessary, and protecting the rights of all par
ties: The public peace was not menaced in any way.
should the action taken7by the governor be sustained, i.
would place in the hands Of a single individual the right
to take possession arbitrarily and without warning. Of
the property Of any citizen, to use at his pleasure, and
to retain it as long as he. desired. No such tyrannical as
sumption of power has been attempted since the divine
right Of kings was exploded.
On the heels of this. remarkable procedure Governor
Frazier indicated in a statement made in Chicago this
week that at the extra session of the legislature which is
to be. convened onsthe 25th inst steps would be taken to
provide for the permanent retention of the coal mines
by the state. This lays bare the motive which has been
the governing force in this episode. Governor Frazier is
an avowed advocate of the specialization of state 4ndus-
tries. The socialization of the coal mines is among the
favored. by the leaders Of his faction, but 81 has
not been polite thus far to present it as an immed,at e
issue. The general strike in the coal fields opened the
way for the creation of a situation which would bring
that issue TO the front. The socialist group is evidently
on the theory that it will be easier to persuade
the legislature to authorize the state to keep the mines,
now that it has them, than to provide for their acquisition
while they are in private hands. b
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AT WASHlNGTON,S TOMB
There is nothing specially new in the spectacle OF a
OF q European royal house doing honage. to the
memory OF George Washington. It has been done before.
..,..Ar ---{. - SE S2I