Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-05
The Grouping Of North Dakota Voters.

e"oon W se 1SoHomlc issues winch are now
before the people Of North Dakota the voters may be
classified into four great general groups, their position
being fixed by their attitude on pending issues.
In one class may>b be placed those who are thorough.
~ committed to the socialistic program which has been
put forth and to the socialistic leadership whicfrha at
tempted to control the affairs of the state. In the atti.
tude OF these people, more is involved that the mere con-
sideration of economic questions. There is in addition
the question Of political leadership and Of the right OF
the individual to form and act upon his own opinions
This independence Of thought and action is denied by
the socialistic leaders to their followers. Mr.. rownley
s a dictator, and his .dictation is accepted in full by q
very considerable number of people. Hence, when in ad.
dition to what is known as the league program, which
is entirely economic, there was presented a program
never publicly discussed and never publicly considered
tons were accepted by these followers Of his without
question, just as many other proposals of his would have
been unauestionabiy accepted. The voters in this grour
are for the entire economic program proposed and for
all the additions which have been presented.
In another group are those adherents Of the Non.
partisan league who believe in the specialization of many
Of the important industries of the state, who accented
in full the original league program and even some OF
the expansions which have been given to it in recen,
months. but who insist on their right to their own in.
dependent judgment: who do not recognize the author.
~" S""ASS 4" VASIdlc ~ LueWs VINO are Op-
posed to some Of the legislation which he has forced
upon the state and which forms no part of the orisinal
program Of the Nenpartisan league.
In the third group are those not necessarily or usu-
ally connected with the Nonpartisan league and who rec.
ognize no authority on the part of Mr.. Townley or any
other outsider, and who are reluctant to see the state
plunge deeply into state ownership of utilities until the
matter has been tested more fully in actual practice
These voters in the main are in favor Of the establish.
ment Of a state terminal elevator or elevators. possibly
Of flour mills, but at this time they would go no further
in this direction. Their position IL that there is no press.
ing need for a further entry into state socialism and tina,
in the operation Of the utilities which they favor Know1:
edge can be gained which will be useful later on in dem
onstratins the advisability or unadvisability Of furthe,
progress in this direction.
In the last group are those who are opposed to the
entire socialistic program. maintaining as they do, tina,
the business of the state can be and should be conducted
by the individuals of the state; that it is rpt necessary 70,
the state to go into commercial business; ana that lie.
sally and commercially the activities Of the state should
be confined to the management Of its governmental at.
fairs, except where vital interests make 4 variation from
that program necessary.