Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-07-26
HERE'S THE

The state administration Is engaged in a ire
mendous effort to sell bonds, It has conducted
campaigns In New York, in Chicago, and In various
other eastern cities, It has visited labor headquar-
tcrs, and has tried to convince the leaders Of tho
unions that in North Dakota bonds they would find
Ia highly desirable Investment for union funds and
for personal savings which the members may have
accumulated, All OF these appeals have been At
tended by unsatisfactory results, The usual bond
purchasers OF the east have acquired the habit Of
investigating rather carefully the Issues to which
they are invited to subscribe, They are given to
asking rather searching quotations. about when and
how they are to get their money back with its earn.
,n1ga, and they have seen in the political manipula-
to reassure them, The representatives of the organ
lied labor element have likewise been reluctant to
turn over their funds, as they feel that there may
be need for those funds and they would like to have
them available when they are required,
Failing other methods, the administration has
adopted those of the revival and camp meeting, II
has undertaken a brass band c~ahpaign to induce
North pakotans to invest in the bonds Of their own
state, u is stated that the campaign has been car
ried quite strenuously into the administration Of
tees at bismarck and that peopleson the salary lists
lot the state have been very urgently invited to SUBJ
scribe to these bond issues. The Invitations in many
cases have been witnessed by spectators who are
peculiarly believed to have been assembled for the
purpose OF bringing pressure to bear on employees
who might be a little unwilling to come through,
All OF this is very distressing and seems to be
entirely unnecessary, The Herald Is pleased to
present what it believes to be a perfect solution Of
the problem which row ~confronts the ADMINISTERS
ton.
1t is desired. we understand, just at this mo-
|ment to place some two million dollars worth Of
bonds, While there is a rather Imposing army Of
lemployes on the state payroll, some Of whose duties
do not seem to be very clearly defined. aud while a
good many Of these employees are receiving greater
compensation than they could earn at AMY other oc-
|%cupation, they do not seem inclined to let go. They
teel the need Of all the money that they are receive
ing, and would prefer to have it in more available
form than it would be if turned into the bonds now
offered They way out is obviously to increase the
salaries OF all the state employees, adding the requir-
led two million dollars to the state payroll with the
understanding that this increase is to be invested in
bonds. Nothing, then, would be subtracted from
the actual cash receipts Of the employees, and they
to be willing to SO through the form Of max
ing. this transfer when no money payment would
be involved. The state would then have placed its
bonds, and the only additional step necessary would
be for the taxpayers to provide the necessary funds
to meet those salary increases, That, OF course, is
q small mater, The taxpayer is always with us. He
Is tough and enduring, and may be expected to bear
without complaint any burdens which may Sc plae-
ed upon his sturdy shoulders.
The plan is respectfully submitted in the ex-
Ipeetation that the administration which has SO mys-
terlonsly overlooked a solution so simple will be
glad immediately Y avail itself OF it,