The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-09-28
NEST0S DEFINES at
TITUDE ON BONUS

by Governor 4. A. NeStOS TO JACK
Williams, adjutan, OF the American
Legion, North Dakota department,
made public today at the governors
office, states the position of the ex-
ecutive on the request of the Ameri-
can Legion that the governor request
of President Harding his approval Of
the bonus legislation.
Mr.. Nestos' letter is based on a re-
cent article published in nonparti-
san league newspaper charging that
Mr.. Nestos refused to make known his
position and that he had pleaded ig-
norance of the provisions Of the bonus
bill.
Mr.. Nestos' letter follows:
Sept. IS, 1922.
Jack Williams,
Fargo, N. Oak.
Dear Mr.. Williams:
l notice an article in Sundays Cour-
ier-News touching upon the fact that |
had made no recommendations to
President Harding on bonus legi,la-
ton. In the article, they say that
when requested to telegraph Harding
I had pleaded that l was ignorant OF
the provisions Of the bill. l cannot
understand where they get any such
incorrect notion as that. Two people
wrote and requested that | telegraph
Harding, and to both of these l wrote
and stated what my view and policy
had been since | became governor.
with reference to making recommen-
dations on national legislation.
| desire to make to you statement
of my attitude because l 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 | was elected governor last
fall, made the people of the state
certain promises, and in an honest and
sincere effort to redeem all of these
promises | have found it necessary to
devote all my time, energy and ability
limited as it is, to the study of our
state problems and working out such
a solution of these as might prove fol
the best interest of all our people, anc
when | have discovered anyone who
knows more about any of these prob
lens, than I do, l have not only wei
coined, but sought information and adj
vice on such matters.
l 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 O.
anyone who can shed additional ligh'
on, or in any way help to solve in ;
statesmanlike way any of their prob
lens, they would also invite and wei
come such counsel and help.
My information as to the probable
effect of the bonus bill in it's presen
form upon the economic life of ou
country is probably as complete a
that of the average citizen interested
in public affairs, but it is also un
doubtedly much less complete thai
the information possessed by tn
members of the house and senate, ant
by the president and members of hi
cabinet. Even among those whose du
ty and responsibility is is to deal witt
this legislation there is much differ
ence of opinion, and able, honorable
and upright senators are to be foun'
on both sides of the question, fight
ing for their view and opinion as t.
the effect of this bill.
What is true about the bonus bill
is also true about great many othe
matters of legislation pending befor
the house and senate during the pas
winter.
1t has therefore seemed rather
presumptious thing for me whose in
formation is necessarily less adequ
ate, to advise either the congressmel
the senators, or President Hardin
what action to take in any of thes
| matters. Were l a member of tn
house or senate, then it would be m
duty to inform myself fully thereo
and then to vote as my judgment di'
tated, but since as governor of Mort
Dakota, 1 have a very great numbt
of difficult and perplexing problem
of my own to solve, it has seemed
me that it was my duty to devote n
self to the solutions of these problem
hoping that l might do my admin
trative work in such way as to pr
mote the prosperity, and secure Il
highest welfare of the people Of O.
state. This has been my sole aim al
ambition.
III It is for that reason, as I have ma