Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-17
THE RIGHT TO A

SA AoIAAA6 "a e1NSAC ASiSdIeI SIoIcH On
the alleged fact that those who are opposed to some OF
the socialistic manifestations that crop out in our state
government are denying the right of the farmers to or
ganize. We are told that the merchants organize, and
the doctors, and the manufacturers, and people in almost
every line of business, and we are ASKED why the farmer
also should not be permitted to organize.
In this line of argument the Socialists are simply
following the old and familiar expedient of constructing
and setting up a man of straw and then demolishing the
image with lusty and valorous blows. If anyone, at any
time, has said. or suggested, that it is unwise or improper
for the farmers to organize, The Herald has never seen
any evidence Of such a thing, and it would be interesting
The farmers have the same right that is possessed by all
other people to organize. Just that right and no more.
The business groups to which reference is often made
have their organizations for the common benefit of the
members. They are business, and not political organiza-
lions. An illustration of their activity may be given by
reference to the history of the North Dakota Press asso-
citation. ...
The North Dakota Press association was organized,
and has existed for the promotion of the business and
professional interests of its members. Its members have
been Of every shade of political belief. and the influence
of the association has never been exerted to secure mi.
fornity of political action among the members. The
association has proposed and supported no candidates
for political positions, and each member has been at
liberty to use his own judgment in all of these matters.
The organization has devoted itself to the considera-
ton of new and better business methods, to secure better
methods of accounting, to the elimination of Improbable
advertising and subscription accounts, and, generally. to
the making of better newspapers in a more business-like
way, and to the management Of the printing and pub
fishing business in general in a more progressive man
ner. At times, when legislation affecting the interests of
the publishers was desired, or when legislation unfavor-
able to them was in prospect, steps have been taken TO
bring the real facts to the attention of the legislators,
and reliance has been placed in the intelligence and
fairness of those legislators to see that just laws were
made when they understood the facts. The organiza ton
has not existed for political purposes, and onlv IN the
extent mentioned has it ever approached the subject Of
politics as an organized institution.
In addition to it's work dealing with the actual on
Grafton of the newspaper business the association has
undertaken a work of cooperation in at least ono direc-
ton, that of insurance. 1t was believed by MANY of the
members that they could carry on the work of fire insur-
ance among themselves advantageously, and a co-opera-
tive insurance company was organized for this purpose.
That company is now doing business. No assistance was
asked from the state, or from any outside agency -
This illustrates merely the work of. one association
of business people. The work of other associations sncb
as those OF merchants, professional men and manufact-
urers, is conducted in like manner. NOBODY know to
this paper has ever suggested that there could he anv
objection to the organization Of farmers along simila r
lines. and for similar purposes.