The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-12-28
POLITICS OR PRODUCTS?
By GUY FIENNER

II there Is anything the coming
Legislature will be short on it will
not be advice. Therefore, it may be
we'll to get in while the advising is
good. However, it is not advice the
writer has in mind, but a suggestion
that may appeal to the members
elect, who will compose what ought
to be notable history-making body.
l have been a close observer OF
every Idaho legislature beginning
with the last territorial session, the
fifteenth; and I have been a close
observer of Idaho development.
The legislatures that have failed
have, been those that gave their
time mostly to politics. Govern
ment is necessarily enmeshed in
politics, and no legislature could be
freed from it; but to make politics,
the Alpha and Omega, to devote a
large portion Of the time to political
procedure and political ambitions,
destroys the efficiency of any legis-
lature.
If I read the signs correctly the
people Of Idaho are far more con-
cerned with problems bearing on
production than they are with
methods Of getting people in and
out of office, altho admittedly the
politicians, having clever means of
creating political fevers, have some
basis for their claims to legislative
attention. But the people, in my
opinion, will be more satisfied
major study and action shall be
directed OF our resources.
After all, potatoes mean more
than primaries, cows more than
conventions, timber more than the
time-honored tenure, mining more
than Machiavelianism.
Production and distribution
growing and marketing-are essen
tials, and the legislature that even
makes good start in the direction
of solving problems associated with
those subjects has made Idaho de-
velopment history.
1t Is not contended that any state
can control competition in our pro-
ducts nor make markets as against
over-production in the nation, but 1t
surely can do something to protect,
to greater extent than at present,
our producers and aid in economic
of their products. With
out proper distribution we face, a
perennially spelling waste
and loss that cannot be overcome by
political platitudes or rate reduc-
tions.
What may be done? Perhaps no
industry has for itself evolved a real
solution. How much less may the
Individual be expected to arrive at
once?
But is not this suggestion pert
inent-that all the industries be
brought into conference with the
legislature? Thoughtful representa-
lives of our agriculture, our timber,
our livestock, our mining, our rail-
roads, power, telephone and other |
interests might with great profit to
The state be brought into consulta-
lion first divesting themselves of
thoughts of special advantage, but
each imbued with desire for leg
Station that will build up all, and
.hru all, the state.
Each coming in turn with it's own
problems, probably half digested,
Ind with the human nature selfish
less that may easily characterize de-
,ached action, the legislature is
luite apt to become confused and
rresolute.
II the coming session can gain a
correct understanding of funda-
mental requirements, and give itself
ime to consider them, there is little
DOM for doubt that it will reduce
ome of our real problems to real