Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-02-23
THE ELEVATOR BILL.

IL Is UdIU W UAAOCA oGoA1A J~oV "AA>~N
underly the opposition developed in the house
and senate at Helena to the Great Falls elevator
bill. but there is certainly well-defined purpose
to kill it in both houses. We have heard various
theories expressed on the subject. Some OF them
involve so petty spirit that we hesitate to at
tribute them to the opponents OF the measure
without further proof. Here are few OF them'
Partisan prejudice because the bill as originally
introduced in the house two years ago bore tne
name Of democrat, Mr.. Stimpert, and 1t was
feared that if successful the elevator might pr'ng
credit to the democratic party. Jealousy OF
Great Falls because the bill locates the elevator
here and the site cannot be changed because the
referendum vote specified this city as the loca-
ton, Opposition because the farmer vote was
strongly for it and it is classed as radical legls
lat;on. Opposition by conservatives who are
opposed to the principle of government owner
ship Doubt as to it's practcability or benefit TO
the farmers. Ignorance on the wnole SUBJECT
matter Now if this elevator was to be palo lor
by the general taxpayer some OF the reasons
given above for opposition might have legitimate
force in spite of the fact that majority OF the
voters who pay all taxes in the end, voted 1or II.
We do not hold to the theory that the Voter IS
a fool and does not know what ne wants anu
therefore his representatives in Legislative
body are justified in overthrOwing his expressed
will because they know better than the majority
what is good for them to have That theory IS
not democratic, though much admired by con-
servatiyes and often acted on. But IN this case
the bonds voted are to be paid principal and IN
terest by a levy on the grain producing lands OF
the state In other words by the people bene-
fitted. if they are benefited. Some of our states
men say they won't be benefited, but If they
think they will be benefited, and the vote on the
referendum shows conclusively that they do so
think, we cannot see how any member OF the
legislature can justify himself in denying to
them chance to try the experiment and gain the
profit or pay the loss OF 1t.
We are not going into any extended argument
on the soundness of the views of the farmers or
those who advocated this elevator, and we are
rot going to try TO show the falslty OF the ar
cuments of its opponents. 1t is not necessary.
The majority Of those who must profit or lose
bv it believe that they can gain considerably IN
the price they receive for their gram thru nav
inc it PASS thru the state elevator on storage
in transit rate, being cleaned here. and gradea
here before it reaches its final market whether
that be Minneapolis or Seattle. They think they
will save on freight charges (thru eliminating
seeds good only for feedstuff), save in excessive
dockage, save in getting better grades. 1t IS I'M
material whether they are right or wrong IN
this opinion. They have right to try 1t out at
their own expense.
And that is Just what Mr. Brown of Cascade
and other members Of the lower house deny IN
their bill which calls for holding up the elevator
bill until they can investigate and see whether
the ma joritv are darned fools or wise men en-
titled to spend their own money Or rot. 1t will
cost the state-a Of us--some money to make
this investigation, and it will worthless when
it is made 1t also constitutes an insult to the
voters who voted for these bonds by heavy ma
iority at the last election. 1t practically tells
them they need guardian lest they spend their
money foolishly and few members OF the leg
islature will act as such guardians and confirm
or veto their action in accord with their superior
wisdom.
The plain duty of the members of the legis-
lature elected by the same voters who voted in
favor Of this elevator experiment by very large
majority is to carry out the expressed will OF the
voter and leave the responsibility for their man.
date to those who made it and had good right TO
make it. We fancy some who have opposed it
will have a hard time explaining their vote in
the future if they come before the voters again.
The city of Great Falls is only very slightly in
terested in this state elevator project city.
1t is true that it will give employment to a hand
full of men who live at Great Falls besides the
D,,{