The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1921-08-19
COMPARISON FROM CONGRESS
SIONAL RECORDS. i. 81.

SlONAL RECORDS. It. s
Washington, D. c.,
!. . August 9, 1921.
Editor Pioneer Express:
That Mr.. Kent, of the Cavalier
Chronicle, has seen fit to credit the
writing Of my Washington letter to
Congressman Burtness is not sur
prising. Senator Ladd writes let
ter for the papers telling about him
self and John M. Baer so consist
emily footed his own horn while here
through the medium Of his funny
pictureas that Mr.. Kent doubtless
feels that self-exploitation is the
legitimate function of man occu-
pying a seat in the Legislative halls
of the nation.
For the benefit of Editor Kent
will say that began writing my
Washington letter long before Mr..
Burtness came to the Capitol. My
articles are written by myself and
inspired by no one. Can Mr.. Kent
honestly say the same thing?
sincerely trust that he can for it
would be deplorable indeed for a
newswriter to have to admit that
he was owned body and soul by any
man or group of men.
As a son of North Dakota I take
a native pride in the good name of
my state and in the men in public
office who represent our people in
the national government. When
such men do not keep the faith,
when. they are lax. and harken to
other calls than that of duty,
must regret such conduct. And as
a newspaper man record the facts
as they are. For this reason I have
criticized ex-Congressman Baer.
Since it has always seemed to me
that the place for Congressman
was in Congress. Not down town
drawing pictures; for either the So
clalists or Mr.. Hearst.
For I have never seen any justi-
fication of the Townley policy of
"Politics for Revenue Only" Even
when it is followed to work up a
name as cartoonist.
For the further benefit Of Editor
Kent let us now run over few of
the facts in the case:
The last session of the Sixty
Sixth Congress began on December
9Th and ended March 4th, lasting
therefore for period of something
like three months. John M. Baer
was recorded present but one day,
the last legislative day. In that
session there were 1856 roll calls.
Mr.. Baer answered to but two of
them. Both on the 3rd day of Mar
ch. It is said that he came then to
draw his pay check. Certain it is
that he did draw it. Still he was
consistent to the last. There were
five roll calls that last working day.
Baer managed to miss three of
them.
On February 28th the Gronna
seed-grain loan appropriation was
before the House. 5000 farmers
in North Dakota had asked for
Federal aid. The bill was bitterly
opposed. Was Mr.. Baer there to
fight the battle Of the farmers for
them? No! He was drawing pic
lures. For William Randolph He
arst. Too busy to even have his
vote recorded in favor Of giving the
farmers of North Dakota chance
to put in q crop.
In the same session the Young
farmers tariff bill was before the
House. Baer was not there. The
Gronna resolution restoring the
War Finance Corporation came up.
Baer was not there. A House COM
mittee was considering bill to re-
gulate the grain gamblers. Baer
did not know it, or did not seem to
care.
Mr.. Baer was defeated in Noveri1-
ber. He laid down. But did not
refuse his pay, at the rate Of $500
per annun. Senator Gronna was
also defeated. But he came back
and fought for the people Of his
s+ata until the last legislative mo.
ment Of the Sixty-Sixth Conress.-
his last. He introduced the resolu.
ton appropriating millions for the
relief Of the drought stricken farm.
ers Of his state. He introduced the
W1or T;ronra roun1,,$:nr nn &ov~Is