The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-03-17
WITH THE EDITORS
MR.. BOWEN "EXPLAlNS"


MR.. BOWEN "EXPLAlNS"
Great is the power of organization! No sooner
did it appear likely that an effort would be made
to apply the referendum to certain laws enacted by
the last legislative assembly than the Nonpartlsan
league through it's official publications announced
schedule of two hundred meetings in the state at
which it's speakers would explain" these measures
and show what mistake it would be to permit the
people to vote on them. This is beating "big
business to it with vengeance. Long before
the opponents of these measures get their ma
chinery under way the league will have thrown out
smoke-screen that will make operations mighty
difficult This is the benefit that accrues to a
political organization absolutely controlled by a
single BOSS and having money to burn at its
disposal.
One of the most remarkable features about the
Nonpartisan league is the fact that from first to
last it's organization was promoted and it's program
put over" by professional agitators who had no
property interests in this state or any other. OF
course they are socialists, every mothers son of
them but the point we want to make is that these
expert spellbinders are hired to present only one
side of the case. They are partisan in exactly the
same sense that lawyer is partisan who is hired
these agitators Mr. Towney is their client or en-
ployer and he pays them WELL But in spite of this
fact, these spellbnders argue 50 skilfuy, and are
SO adroit in appealing to the passions and preju-
dices of their audiences that they not only manage
to "get BY" but many hang upon their words as if
they were oracles and inspired prophets when in
fact they merely special pleaders, and skilled
CAB artists. The only thing any one of them has
to lose is his job.
These thoughts required to the writer as he
heard Mr.. A. E. Bowen "explain' two or three
league measures in LaMoure last Saturday after
noon. 1t was the old, old game Mr.. Bowen spent
a solid hour recounting ancient history for the
sole purpose Of getting his audience in the fright"
frame of mind. He dated upon the familiar
claim that the farmers of this state were swindled
out of $55,OOO,OOO on the 1915 wheat crop alone.
He rang in the story of ID feed" He agonized
over the price of bran: what do you farmers
have to pay for bran in LaMoure?" he asked.
Someone thought it was selling at around $50 a
ton. my God!' exclaimed Mr.. Bowen. And no
wonder, when you think Of the tons of bran he has
to buy every day! We had vision Of Mr. Bowen
addressing body of humble wage earners in
Chicago or New York: u.s.
what do you slaves have to pay fer eggs -
he asks.
Seventy cents Dozen" ID.
! my God! And how much for butter?"
Eighty cents pound"
my God! And how much for beef steak
For bacon? For bread?" .5..
my Gody' he cries as the bitter story of wal
prices is told. But here in North Dakota the game
is to talk about ID feed" and the price of bra and
to forget two-dollar wheat and the highest range
of prices for agricultural produce this state has
ever known.
;; Mr.. Bowen discussed but two or three of tn.
! laws recently enacted, and Of these only two ar,
likely to be made subject to the referendum. Th'
Chronicle hopes and believes that no attempt will
be made to refer the terminal elevator and flou
mill law. This calls for an outlay of five million
dollars, and it should be worth that to determine
once and for all whether this state can pr0fitabl.
handle its chief agricultural product. If savinI
even approaching $50, 900, 900 annually can be ef
. fected, it will be splendid investment.
We do not believe that much objection will
!! raised to the law exempting farm improvement
! from taxation. If large portion Of the tax bul
den can be shifted to the shoulders Of the absente
: land spectators It win suit rs fine.-1aMour
u Chrunicle, 80 IS
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