Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-08
LAND AT $3.50

willing now to pay such prices for land. FL
1t may not be Inappropriate in this connection to ask
why the land prices in North Dakota ever reached such
a scale. 1t is a fact within the knowledge of everyone.
not only that the price quoted is not an unusual price for
North Dakota farm land Of good quality but that it is
not a new price. The present stage of land values has
not been reached either since socialist legislation was
enacted or since such legislation became probable. Our
lands have been advancing in price quite continuously
for many years. Thirty years ago excellent land in the
best sections of the Red River valley could be bought
for $40 to s2 an acre. Since that time the advancement
in price has been regular and constant. For some years
$50 an acre has been about the minimum for good Red
River valley lands several miles from a railroad. and
the price has varied from that figure to 500 or more an
acre for lands more advantag eously situated.
Ever since the present group Of socialist leaders
graduated from the soap boxes of the cities to the high
ways and public places Of North Dakota our people have
been familiar with the doctrine that the North Dakota
farmer is OF all men most miserable. He was suppressed,
defrauded and enslaved. From breezy morn till dewy
eve he was kept at a hard and grinding task; the pro-
ceeds Of his labor were stolen from him: he was tl-fed.
'oo'iy clothed and inadequately sheltered. His children
were denied even the rudiments Of an ducation; his wife
was a mere drudge. During his entire life he struggled
under the weight Of a mountain of debt, and he was to
who lived at ease in the pleasant places Of the earth.
The picture thus family indicated is a very familiar
one. 1t has been drawn times without number in the
most lurid colors, and there is not a platform in the
state from which it has not been presented. and We,
while the orators, the drawers of sword pictures. were
busy at this task the lands which were owned by these
poor, down-trodden creatures, which they occupy with
their families, and upon which their labors are spent,
have been doubling, trebling and quadrupling in value.
For some mysterious reason people who were not North
Dakota farmers were willing to pay large prices for land
in order that they might become so. Nor was. this
strange desire confined to outsiders who knew nothing
CT the deplorable condition of our people and whose
ignorance of the true conditions therefore might possibly
have accounted fer their desire. Men who were actual
residents Of the state, farmers upon its lands, desired to
possess themselves at these increased prices Of lands ad-
joining their own. Seemingly they were not aware of
their horrible cor dition, because instead OF seeking to
escape from it they tried, by increasing their possess
sions, to anchor themselves still ore firmly to the soil
Of the state. Moreover, they had the prlca with which TO
pay for their purchases, and that price had been realized
by them out of their activities as North Dakota farmers.
Still further, even at these larger prices the frantic rush
IT, sell which might have been expected was entirely abb
sent. In spite of the prices offered, resident farmers stub
bornly refused to sell. They had become SO accustomed
to taeir chains that they refused to cast them off even
when offered payment for doing so.
l.. If ne were to judge by the ordinary Standard, he
would conclude, after looking over the history of the
state that, Notwithstanding such a deplorable state of
existence. the lot of the North Dakota farmer was, after
ALL not such a bad one. Thousands Of men who came to
the state equipped only with their bare hands have clear
ed from the soil in a few years enough to insure their
maintenance in comfort for the rest of their natural
lives. They have been able to build comfortable homes;
the school houses and churches which dot the land are
evidence Of the fact that they have been able to pay
some attention to matters of education and religion. and
anyone ,conversant with their lives knows that in the
home of the Norh Dakoa farmer ia n ha found varp oPten
not only physical comfort but intellectual culture and
those mental and spiritual attributes which are impos-
sible except in a life well balanced and divided between
work and rest in a fairly wholesome manner. It will be
concluded from the application Of the usual standards of
judgment to our case that in North Dakota and on its
farms has, been found in much greater measure than in
most other parts of the earth the conditions which make
for prosperous. wholesome and happy lives. but the grad
yates Of the soap box school viii not have it that way.
They have their own methods and their own standards
and As they have the floor just now it is their system OF
judgment which must govern. Notwithstanding the fact
that our people have been SO In love with their own
conditions as to be willing to pay big prices for their
farm lands, on which those conditions were to be met,
re must listen to the soap box doctrine that the condi-
lions are all to the miserable. 4
Tho people Of Berlin. it is reported, are taxing 10
lsamblsnes II has yet to be shown that the Pruas,ans
are good sportE
Some people object to the league OF nations on the
ground that It will involve us IN such trivial anairs as
the settlement Of disputes in the Balkans. II was a
Edistp'riance y TIE Balkans that started things snves years
~.
We are assured by come opponents Of the leAsus.of
Inations thAt the United statss should not sntsr the,
IisAsnssS becauss ve have made such 4 Demonstration oks
our strength nat no nation wiils dare 70 attacksssus. Ahy-
vay a rshsbilitsted Germany. IN control Of the re-
scusc@g andRths orsauiseds subraiasion az IL people. might
sfys ths sub5ecs elre3ui eohaAsstoA