The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-03-31
Legal Revolution Has Transformed
North Dakota Into Socialist State

BISMARK, N. D., March 31-The
sixteenth general assembly, after hav-
ing turned the constitution of North
Dakota inside out in order to lay a
foundation for the most radical ex-
pertinent in state socialism yet under
taken in America, has adjourned. The
sixteenth assembly was largely COM
posed of farmers, elected by members
of the Non-Partisan league, a farmers
political organization, to carry out the
program of that organization. They
did as they were hidden. Opponents
have claimed that the league ma
jority went further than it was asked
to. There may be some minor dis
satisfaction with measures not consid
cred part of the league program,
but the rank and file of the farmers
seem well satisfied with the major
bills.
These measures provide, first, for
a state industrial commission to be
composed of the governor, the attor-
ney general and the commissioner of
agriculture and labor, all leaguers,
as is every other state officer except
one. This is the parent of the leagues
entire economic plan. The industrial
commission selects locations and APP
points heads for all of the other
league enterprises, utilities and inrus-
tries. The commission is responsible
to no authority save the people, and
it's own powers are unlimited. 1t may
appoint a president for the $150,000,-
600 Bank of North Dakota one day
and remove him the next, with or
without cause. The governor and any
one other member form quorum for
the transaction of business. The gov
ernor may veto any act of the other
two members.
Financial Center Created.
Then there is the Bank of North
Dakota bill, creating a financial cen
ter, which is to be repository for all
public funds of the state and its minor
civil divisions, including the munich
palitiesfi repository and fiscal agent
for all state enterprises and reserve
agent for North Dakota's 700 state
banks. The industrial board selects a
president for this bank and directs
how it shall me conducted.
For ten years North Dakota farm
ers had fought for terminal elevators
and state-owned -four mills. They
They have them with a vengeance in
the State Mill and Elevator associa-
ton bill of the sixteenth assembly
Where the farmer ten years ago was
afraid to think of asking for 100000
to finance his elevators, today he
calmly proposes to bond the state for
100000 and not only to build elevat-
ors, but distributing agencies on the
producer-to-consumer basis in any Of
the large American centers or in for
eign countries.
State Will Build Homes.
There is also State Home Building
association bill under which the state
undertakes to build a home to cost
not more than $4,000 or to buy farm
for not to exceed $4,000 for any citi-
zen who has 20 per cent. of the pur-
chase price to pay down.
Back of these institutions is 81
000,00 bond issue for the Bank of
North Dakota. The bank may buy its
own bonds, and as soon as they are
bought, or sold, furnishing the $1,000
900 capital required by law, the bank
may begin business.
Until January l, 1919, 100000
formed the constitutional bonded debt
limit Of North Dakota. Today, due
to a constitutional amendment iniated
by the league at the last general cleo
ton, "the sky's the limit as one of
the leagues own legislators has put it. |
Assessments on New Basis.
The sixteenth assembly produced
much other legislation which would
attract attention in ordinary times. |
There is a reclassification of property
which assesses farm lands, railways
and other utilities and bank stocks !