Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-12-02
PATRIOTISM AND BUSINESS

IVA W I ~ luC Ol1UlUOUS Oh liz III a community
are always more wholesome when the members OF
that community give every possible encouragement
to their local industries. and when those industries
are SO conducted as to merit the support and con-
hdence OF the community.
But an industry must have something more to
recommend it than the accident of its location or
the personnel of its ownership. The industry which
depends solely or even very largely for its success
on loyalty is bound to have a precarious existence,
and IS likely to have a brief one. Whether the ac-
jtlylty be industrial. commercial or financial, and
whether publicly or privately owned, it is a matter
OF business, and it can command patronage only
SO long as the goods which it distributes or the serv-
ices which it renders, compare favorably, price and
other essential factors considered, with what can
be obtained from similar and competing concerns,
at home or elsewhere.
Take the case of the Consumers stores. There
was no lack of loyalty on the part of those who
provided the funds for their establishment. The
farmers who paid out good money for shares or
certificates in them desired their success: They
were eager to patronize them. Why did the trade
OF practically all Of these stores iaH- off after the
hrst furry following their organization, until first
one and then another closed its doors, and the whole
institution went into insolvency? Simply because
the farmers found that they could do better for
themselves by dealing at the regular stores. Wheth-
er from dishonesty, incompetence, or what not, the
Consumers stores. except in a very few cases,
were not able to supply to their patrons the
goods and services which they desired at prices
which would compare f~avofably with what could
be obtained from the other stores. Naturally
and inevitably, the other stores got the business. 1t
would have been mistaken loyalty to continue to
accept poorer goods less satisfactory service and paw
higher prices simply to keep those struggling insti-
buttons alive.
The business institution OF any kind can have
but one satisfactory reason Tor its existence. 1t is
there to serve. If it cannot serve as acceptably and
as cheaplv as others, there is no room for it in the
ECONOMIC system.
The state mill is a business institution. 1t is
here to provide a market for certain millions of
bushels of grain each year, and to supply those who
desire It with the resultant manufactured product.
Physically the plant is all that could be desired.
We have been assured that the construction and
equipment OF it is equal to any mill III existence. 1t is
situated in the heart of the best wheat producing
area on the, continent. It is capable OF producing
las good flour as can be produced anywhere. But
rs is not to be expected that it can produce -four
appreciably better than the best that is produced in
some other mills. There are in the country larger
mills whose product has an international reputation
for excellence. and there are little, local mills SO
skilfully handled that their product is held by users
to be equal to the best that is produced elsewhere.
We have a right 10 expect that Our state millers
shall produce -four that is as good as the best. We
Cannot expectJnuch more.
The state mill, operated up to its capacity, can
produce in a yea, practically all the -four that the
people of North Dakota can consume in that time,
and i'll doing so it would grind perhaps 5 per cent of
the wheat raised in the state. All our people are not
going to use state -four. The privately owned mills
whether owned locally or outside of the state, will
continue to operate, and a large share Of their
product will continue to be used at home. It is
evident that a very large proportion OF the -four
from the state plant must find a market outside Of
the state. and whether or not that particular -four is
shipped abroad, it will enter into direct competition
with -four made from grain grown in all parts of the
world.x
It is evident that the success OF the enterprise
is not going to be attained by developing a spirit
which shall induce our people to demand -four from
their own mill. If that were worked to its utmost
possible limit it would GO but a very little way.
The success Of the enterprise depends directly, and
almost entirely, on management which will enable
it to place its product on the general market on sat
~isfactory terms of competition in that market.
The morarof it all is that the business must be
managed just as the great successful private busi-
ness is managed. Its managerial force must be COM
iposedtof men who are thoroughly competent to per-
form the duties for which they have been chosen.
We have every reason to believe that we have such
the selection of capable men to handle the business.
They must be permitted to handle it solely on a
Business basis. There Is where loyalty OF the peo-
pile IF North Dakota to their state institution can
be made to count. Let every citizen of North Da-
ikota insist that this enterprise be managed as a
business and not asany part Of a political machine.
Let him neither ask nor expect political favors for
himself on account Of it, and let him not counter
Iance its use for that purpose by others. Then it
will be possible 70 realize the utmost possibilities
fof the state institution, and loyalty will have been
demonstrated to some purpose. #t
The prosecuting attorney ii Tulsa. Okla. has
nulli6ed the United States constitution. He DIS
misses all liquor caSes,,aon the ground that the peo-
iple do NOT want prohibition.
The senate flibuster Is said 10 BE very scientific.
p.Sisnals aid everything Ike ! football game, prob