Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-18
LA TOILETTE VIEWS WITH ALARM.

1t is a long time since Senator LaFonette has been
able TO view conditions in the United States otherwise
than with alarm. His fears for the future are constant
and chronic. He can let things run for about so long
without saying much about it, and then he has to arise
and warn his fellow citizens of the dangers toward which
they are drifting.
Mr.. LaFolette.s understanding Of the deplorable
conditions existing in the United States, and of the still
more deplo1able ones toward which We are headed is OF
no recent origin. A generation ago he was issuing warn
fnss as solemn as those which he sounds today. A little
later. after he had been elected to the senate. and before
he had taken his seat in that body. in public statements
he pointed out the corruption Of that branch of the gov
ernnaenk and the culpabiity of its members. He made
1t known to all and sundry that when he took his seat In
the senate he would reform that body or know the reason
wh:- Fear OF having their wickedness exposed and pun
ishel- may account for the chiliness with which the gen.
ilernan frem Wisconsin was welcomed. although there
haa been a suspicion that resentment at the new members
pumptous contempt for considerations of courtesy and
good taste may have had something to do with it.
Senator IaFollette is asitated just now because there
ara in Washington the headquarters or the representatives
of several organizations of American business men. He
lists quite a number, among them the United States
Chamber ce Commerce, and representatives of several
business interests, such as lumber men, coal men, sugar
men, INCA: packers, and so forth. These people are
there. he would have the dear people believe, for the pur-
pose OF bringing to bear improper influences on the gov
improper.
It cannot be denied that the organizations which he
names are represented at the capital, and that some, or
all of them, do, on occasion. interest themselves in mat
ters of legislation. The United States Chamber Of Com
merce. for instance, has it's headquarters in Washington.
and it interests itself constantly in matters of lesisla-
ton. This organization is one of rather wide scope. 1t
starts with the business men in cities. great and small,
all over the United States. These men have organized
Themselves into Local societies known as commercial clubs.
chambers of commerce, or by some similar designation,
the purpose Of each being the promotion Of the interests
of the coamunity in which it exists. These groups have
organized themselves into a national organization, each
local society being entitled to representation in proper
ton to its membership. This national organization is the
Chamber of Com merce of the United Sfatea The nor
beers Of this great body, distributed over the country from
ocesn to ocean. being citizens, and being affected in
their personal fortunes by most of the things which at.
feet the country As a whole; undertake from time to time
to express their opinions on matters which they conceive
to be Of Importance. Where the importance of the sub
ject is thought to be sufficient to warrant such>a step a
question Is submitted to the individual clubs In the form
of = referendum The question is set forth. and arsu-
merfs for and against contemplated action are prepared
These are ubmited for the consideration of the local
uAAl. and, aftef such consideration as Is deemed neces-
Ea1y. = vote II taken and the record is sent to the central
odce in Washington. 1t is expected that the decision
of large and so representative a body will be given
somo weight by the men who make the laws. That is
one phase Of the activity which gives Senator LaFollette
:auch onncern.
In the criticisms Of the Wisconsin senator and others
an This subject emphasis is placed on the presence in
I, Waaatngton Of representatives of only some Of the inter
esta there represented. Others are ignored. The Amer1-
can Federafion OF Labor is Overlooked. It has is head
a,saxtees in Washington. and there is a rather Widespread
q he1e4 that Mr. .Gompers and his associates keep quite
close watch OF legislation affecting the interests Of their
@eons1tuentsL There are several farmers organizations
which either have headquarters In the capital or send
Representative there to look after their interests. Pre-
1uInaAly Mr.. LaFolette holds the activities OF these so
ctst1leate be quite proper. But il 4 nsn engaged in 4
|SoonaxGeecaal or other similar business, with the results Of
ai6Attne Of effort at stake, believes his interests to be
@nsnaceA by : pendinE bill. It IS treason for him to Join
Esntth51Aers similarly situated to pvt forth an effort to
#9xort4 ~ danger.
81 ~ sYoubse With Mr.. LaFollette - that he IL soured
RSMs1 acu9inAled q disappointment over TIE failure Of his
Eaa9a6a6tiffGGu - - realized.