The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-04-03
DIES Laos FARM
Err DISCUSSES
LEAGUE MEASURES
Believes that the Main League Mem
hers are Honest and VIII Work for
Benefit of the People.

Des Laos, N. D., March %, 1919.
The Ward County Independent,
Minot, North Dakota.
Dear Editor:
We are pleased to note that you in
vite discussion Of the League meas
ures in your paper. We thank you 6r
this. This is the only honest, fair
proposition that has come out of Mi
not since the League came into power
in North Dakota. We accept your offer
in good faith.
There seems to be a marked var.
lance of opinion between the townspeo-
pie and the farmers on these League
laws and an honest discussion of these
laws will accomplish much to bring
us together. If these laws appear to
be for the financial benefit Of the great
majority of the people, we want them
tried out. If they seem not, then we
must repeal them. Truly, we are
thankful for the referendum, even
though it is a League measure. With
out it, some of the townspeople we
know would have died of vexation and
chagrin.
There is no natural reason for the
difference of viewpoint between the
townspeople and the farmers as has
come out so plainly at different times
at Minot, especially at the Frazier
meeting last fall and the Mills meet
ing few days ago. At the Mills
meeting, you business men were con-
spicuous by your absence. Evidently
you don't care to come to our discus
sions and learn our side of this contro-
versy. Well, stay away, if you desire.
| We are willing to meet you in the In
dependent, fair and square.
We want an honest discussion. We
are after the facts. If these laws are
not what we need, we must repeal
them. If they have the promise of
beneftting all honest people, we want
them tried out. Let us remember, if
repealed, they will be repealed by the
aid Of the league members. You cannot
| do it alone. 1t will take more than bad
! names and abuse to get us to help you
| repeal them. They are what we or
gained and voted for.
Most of you townspeople don't seem
to understand these laws and the
probable workings of them. My, what
an excitement these laws have caused
IN all the cities of the state and how
they have upset the reactionary press!
The farmers have been forced to study
these questions as they run up against
unfair transportation charges and un
falr marketing of their products and
unfair graft and discrimination all
along: We believe these laws will
remedy these evils to great extent,
II we are mistaken. we want to be
shown but you must show us by an
honest discussion Of the merits or
faults of these bills. We will take no
notice OF bad names. They co,,pt for
nothing. 1t might be of interest to
you townspeople to know how these
laws look to Woodworking, hard
thinking farmer. who has helyx1 make
North Dakota what it is.
You townspeople denounce these
laws with great denunciation. It
seems. you believe these bills are the
embodiment Of all that is bad and VIC
lous in legislation Now. friends. we
have worked hard to get these bills
and have studied these questions as
they have never been studied before
We honestly believe these laws will re-
move the main exploitations under
which we are handicapped. Now; If
YOUR fears are grounded on facts,
show US by fair arguments and we viii
help you repeal them. You know YOU
cannot do it alone. Therefore. let US
talk this over in sane, intelligent
manner. Nothing good comes out Of
anger and abuse.
Outside of terrible names, all the
arguments against these laws seems
to center in Loss and Expenses. There
seems to be no arguments advanced
against them on moral grounds. All
seem to concede that the people have a
right to cooperate if the cooperation
IS exnedlent and profitable. We have
noted no argument to the contrary.
The arguments are: You will ruin
the state financially. You will tax
4 yourself to death. Seventeen millions
IN bonds for state-owned utilities! This
Is untrled-unheard of-dangerous.
This is class legislation. We cannot
i-.r- .ss