Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-22
NEST0S.MAKE;,S''
ATTITUDE ON
BONUS PLAIN
Letter to Legion Adjutant
Sets Forth Reasons For
Hands OFF" Policy.
Governor Makes Calm, Log
ical Reply to League
Press Attacks.

Press Attacks.
In letter to Jack Williams of Far
go. state adjutant of the American
Legion, Governor r. A. Nestos sets
forth his reasons for not wiring Pres
ident Harding and urging approval Of
the bonus bill.
The letter is in reply to a wild at
tack on the governor recently publish
ed in the league press.
The governor points out that his
business is to handle the affairs Of
the state, and to these he has been
devoting his time. His information
regarding the bonus bill Is therefore
obviously less complete than that at
the disposal Of the president and
members of congress.
The governors letter in full is as
follows:
September Is, 1922.
Jack Williams,
Fargo, n. Oak.
Dear Mr.. Williams:
l notice an article in Sundays
Courier-News touching upon the fact
that L had made no recommendations
to President Harding on bonus legis-
lation. In the article, they say that
when requested to telegraph Harding
1 had pleaded that was ignorant of
the provisions of the bill. I cannot
understand where they get any such
incorrect notion as that. Two people
wrote and requested that telegraph
Harding, and to both Of these wrote
and stated what my view and policy
had been since / became governor,
~ L.
dations on national legislation.
ee I desire to make to- you a statement
Of my attitude because I believe that
the more you and others who are in
terested think It over, the more you
will be constrained to conclude that
my attitude has been in the past, and
is now, the correct one.
When I was elected governor last
fall. I made the people Of the state
certain promises, and in an honest
and sincere effort to redeem all OF
these promises I have found it neces-
sary to devote all my time. energy
and ability, limited as it is, to the
study of our state problems, and
working out such solution of these
as might prove for the best interest
Of all of our people, and when I have
discovered anyone who knows more
about any Of these problems than I
do, L have not only welcomed. but
sought information and advice or
such matters.
! apprehend that President Hard
ing. the senators and representatives
are equally conscientious in studying
and seeking to solve the problems that
come before them for solution, and
that when they find or hear of anyone
oh f~ht
in any way help to solve in a states
manlike way any of their problems
that they would also invite and well
come such counsel and help.
Ny information as to the probable
effect Of the bonus bill in it's present
form upon the economic life Of our
country is probably as complete as
that of the average citizen interested
in public affairs, but it is also un-
doubtedly much less complete than
the information possessed by the
members of the house and senate, and
by the president and members of his
cabinet.
Even among those whose duty and
responsibility it is to deal with this
legislation there is much difference
Of opinion, and able, honorable and
upright senators are 10 be found on
both sides Of the question, fighting
for their view and opinion as to the
effect OF this bill.
What is true about the bonus bill
is also true about a great many other
matters of legislation pending before
the house and senate during the past
winter
1t has therefore seemed rather a
presumptuous thing for me whose in
formation q; necessarily less adequate.
to advise either the congressman, the
senators, or President Harding what
action. to take in any Of these mat
ters. Were I member of the house
or senate, then it would be my duty
to inform myself fully thereon and
then to vote as my judgment dictat-
ed, but since as governor Of North
Dakota, have a very great number
of difficult and perplexing problems
of my own to solve, it has seemed to
me that it was my duty to devote
myself to the solutions of these prob
lens, hoping that I might do my ad-
ministrative work in such way as
to promote the prosperity, and secure
the highest welfare of the people of
our state. This has been my sole aim
and ambition.
It Is for that reason, as have stat
Gu All AHSwcI " kAC ACA0CSIo AAANO AVA
kilograms and letters of recommends
tions with reference to national legts-
lation, that 1t has been my rule since
became governor not to take any
action or give any advice to the pres
ident or members Of congress unless
felt sufficiently we'll informed on
such legislation 80 that my counsel
would be Of value to them In shed
ding additional light on the problems
or else when the Legislation involved
matters Of SPECIFIC Interest to the ad-
Frpinistration or to the lines Of bnsi.
5nsss for which the administration Y
si33 Isl 83s
l,s 4 want you to know that my atti'
Itude toward the men who engaged II
the recent war 10 fair and friendly
3and that today. NJ during the war. ]
an seeking to contribute my share Il
the task Of solving the problems o
ths day In such q way - TO promota
the welfare ana inslre the h6ppinAsl
,of our people. and ! havs felt. eve
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