Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-06-07
BURTNEss OR BAER.

NOMINATION Tor congress are presented
for the consideration of the voters of
the First district. One of these is
John M. Baer, the present incumbent
and the other IS o. B. Burtness. Of
Grand Forks. What is known about
these two men which will enable the
voters to arrive at an intelligent de-
cision?
Mr.. Baer came to North Dakota a
very few years age, a youth Just out
OF school. He located in the western
part OF the state, and there, after des-
ultory work in various occupations; his
facility with the pencil gained for him
a position as c~artoonist onsa local
weekly paper. His chief labor vas to
draw a o or less funny picture
c a week. Later he performed
similar work for a Bismarck maza-
zinc whose salacious treatment of
current events has made it notorious.
Mr.. Townley thought he needed a
picture for his Nonpartisan Leader.
published at Fargo, and the young
manipulation Of the pencil was given
a job with the Fargo publication. A
acanc occurring in the First distric.
through the death of CONGRESSMAN
Helgesen, Townley picked his proteEe
for the place. INC Baer was elected.
Probably neve before was a mar
elected to congress as little known Tas
Baer, or who had 50 little of exper-
fence and achievement to warrant his
election. He had been a resident of
the district barely long enough to
qualify az a voter in it. He had no
business experience, no professional
knowledge, and no record of public
service of any kind to indicate that he
was a suitable mar to make laws for
the nation. Ninety per cent of the peo-
pie whose representative he, became
never heard of him. He was selected
by his sponsor, Mr.. Townley, appAr-
emily for h sole reaeon that he was
a handy man to have around, and one
who would do as he was told. The
record which he has made In
justiftes the estimate placed UPON him
at League headquarters. He has &C.
cupied pace in the House of Repre-
~sentatives, and he has drawn his nay.
Aside from a mere handful Of person
al acquaintance, nobody knew that
he existed before he vas sprung as a
congressional candidate, and since his
election nobody has known that he
was in Washington. He has originated
nothing and contributed nothing. He
has been the nonenitity that his boss
expected and desired him to be. and
from that standpoint he may be con-
sddered a success.
Mr.. Burtness was born on a farm In
North Dakota. He came of a family
OF progressive and successful farmers,
and his boyhood was spent on the
farm, where he became familiar with
every sort Of farm wark. He was
g1yenNms early training in the schools
o. his county and graduated with
credit from the university of his ma
tive state. He engaged in the practice
OF law and has built up for himself a
successful practice. He gave his b
~ energetic and efficient service AS
states attorney, and was elected to
the state legislature by a vote which
came near being unanimous. In the
legislature he displayed q familiarity
with the affairs Of the sate which gave
him a commanding position in the
house Of which he was a member.
His whole life has been lived among
the PEOPLE who are now to have an
ot~ppustunity to vote for him a position
OF greater honor and responsibility.
He has been under observation At Ill
times. And he has achieved the sort
Of success which goes with Industry.
integtity and strons. forceful charac-
ter Hs has participated In. I con-
spicious and useful way in every
movement FOR the public good. ana
everywhere he has Commended re-
Ispect and won esteem. The election
for Burtness to congress win be the
natural and lostcal sequence .of 1 rec
ord mus far worthy, tsesui ana non
0rabie. n