Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-31
LEAGUE WIRES
SEEM TO HAVE
BEEN CROSSED
Evidently Under Fry Misun-
derstood Upper Fry in
Utility Case Hearing.

Bismarck, N. D., May 31.-There is
a growing conviction In league cir
cles here that someone miserably
messed things in the matter of the
Dakota Heat, Light & Power Co. mer-
ger. which has been halted by ten
tatlve ruling Of the railway commits,
sion to h effect that the proposed
combine is too we'll saturated with
water. 1t To- seems apparent that
while the higher ups in the league
wanted this merger to go through.
they did not establish contact with
local workers in the cause, and that
h latter. believing they were doing
their duty, have somewhat put their
foot in the proposition by peddling
something. especially Ubiquitous in
connection with the proposed merger.
1t is not commended that these tactics,
referred to by Mr.. Manahan, personal
counsel for Arthur c. Townley, presi-
dent of the National N~onpartisan
league, were responsible for the de-
ctston of therailway commission, but
1t is felt that; these tales will have a
rather u~nfavorable effect on the ulti-
combines plans.
Manahan Counsel.
The fact that Mr.. Manahan appear
ed as chief of counsel for the Dako-
ia Heat, Light & Power Co., might
have proved sufficient evidence to the
cogniscent that the proposition had
the approval Of the powers which now
rule North Dakota. Apparently, how
ever, some very influential local
leaguers and others not so influential
but just as ingenious, did not tumble
to this fact until too late. One
league official who holds a very i'm
portant position in the leagues eco
nomic program and who is very close
to Townley. in good faith circulated a
story to the effect that a large slush
fund had been paid to some one with
q view to putting the merger over.
He was of the opinion: that one of the
principal benef1ciaries was to be a
Bismarck corporation man for whom
the league has no high regard, and
he did all that was in his power to
block the deal. over night, follow
ing the conclusion of the railway
front, and he now seems to be con
WINGED that he was made the dupe of
interests which had an Interior mo-
tive in blocking the consolidation. 1t
is understood that there were some
rather heated conferences among loo
al N~onpartisan heads following the
failure Of Mr.. Manahan to deliver, and
that someone ha seer a great light.
The story today is that some of the
properties which were to have been
included in the combine have discov-
cred that they can get a better price
from the Byllesby interests. of Chica-
go, which control the Red River val
ley public utilities in Grand Forks
end Fargo. The present options on
their plants, the story goes, expire
June 2, and If the Dakota Heat, Light
q ~~ry~ No. 4. e. I :, a. -,,-@S SA--V =
these options before that date. which
is next Monday. those properties will
then be in a position to accept the Of
fer Of the Chicago people.
Amt No Wise Scared.
In line with the pure Nonpartisan
gospel which Manahan spilled before
the railway commission in his final
plea, was a statement which Non
partisan league newspapers credit to
Arthur Perry of Boston, said to
be among the eastern financiers in
terested in the Dakota Heat, Light &
Power. merger.
we find that the purpose of the
people of North Dakota Is to protect
themselves against being exploited.
1t Is to protect property and not to
destroy it. Therefore, we have dis
carded all rumor to the contrary and
are ready to invest. The political
situation In this state does not i'm
pair securities" =
And, in spite Of this very pretty
statement, the commission was UNI
kind enough a few minutes later to
give as its opinion that Mr.. Perry and
his, associates were engaged in a d.
rect attempt to exploit the people of
North Dakota by Excessively over
valuing" for purposes of capitalization
the public utilities which the Dakota
Heat, Light and Power Co. sought to
consolidate. Commissioner Milhollan
went SO far as to state that one Of the
properties to be included in the mer-
ger, and which the company proposed
to capitalize at 100000 was watered
to the extent Of $3.50, 900.
The Nonpartisan league, 80 long the
avowed enemy of Big Business, seems
to be having its troubles in assuming
the role of the friend of capital as
we'll as the protector Of labor.
BIG PRICE FOR BACON.
Lawrenceburg, Ind. May 31l-Two
sides OF bacon sold by Enos G. Hayes,
farmer. brought S57. The bacon