Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-05

The Bismarck Tribune enters a general denial
to the. charge that in its opposition to the recall it is
carrying out its part OF a political combination the
effect Of which will be to leave the present admin
~istration in charge Of the affairs Of the state. The
denial was expected. 1t is difficult, however, to
reconcile the Tribune's denunciation of the states
elevator project with its professions sof regard for
the principles Of the Republican party. So farsas the
national platform of the party is concerned, we fail
to lind in that document any mention of North Da-
kota's elevator enterprise, or anything which could
be construed as laying down a principle for or
against that undertaking. But it happens that the
sumo to be sacred to the Tribune, has declared
specifically for the erection Of a terminal elevator to
be owned by the state.
The Tribune cannot see how ernbers Of diff
ferent parties can work in the same harness. Is the
Tribune not aware that the members of more than
one political party united in prosecuting the war
against Germany? And in relation to state affairs,
has the Tribune forgotten that endorsement Of the
terminal elevator plan was given by the Democratic
as we'll as by the Republican party?
The Tribune deplores the expenditure of $780,:
900 on the state mill and elevator up to date. But
the money has been spent, and the resultant struc-
ture is there, partly completed, visible to the naked
eye OF every traveller. If the Tribune proposes that
that structure shall not be completed, just what dis
position would it make of it?s Would it lust quit.
and let what has been done stand there until the ele-
ments have reduced it to dust in the course of a few
#centurles? Or would it use dynamite to hasten the
process OF dlslntegraton?
The Herald's position on this matter is easy to
def1ne: 1t believes that the demand for a plant of
TINS KIND was created by inaccurate presentation of
facts which resulted in popular misrepresentation.
The Herald opposed that agitation, and urged that
the subject be considered entirely apart from emo
ton and prejudice. But the demand assumed such
proportions that it was evident that a large majority.
OF the people Of the state insisted on this experiment
being made. When this became clear, the Herald
maintained that the people were entitled to have
such an experiment made, and made in good faith
ana -lnsan adequate manner. That opinion was
shared by public men of all parties. The Herald and
the Independents generally differed from the radio
ais IN insisting that the one project which had been
emphatlcally demanded by the people should be
tried out first, and that the state should not launch
into a general program of state ownership before
having tried out this one enterprise. ,
That position The Herald maintains today. 1t
believes that when the affairs of the state are placed
IN the hands of trustworthy men the mill and ele-
vator should be completed and operated, that the
management if this business should be divorced en-
tlrely from political control and should be made to
stand on its own feet. It believes that a system ac-
counting should be installed which will be SO clear
and so simple that the ordinary citizen can under
stand it and can know whether or not the enterprise
is paying its way and whether or not it can be made
to pay its way. It is in favor of providing for the
business such funds as are necessary to establish. it
properly, and no more. mother words, it is in favor
OF keeping faith with the people on the prosecution
OF this enterprise, which had it's inception long be-
fore Townley assembled the items of his wierd and
grotesque program.
The position Of The Herald has been stated
over and over again. The Tribune does not like it.
Just what does the Tribune propose as a substitute /?