The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-07-10
THE LAFOLLETTE PLATFORM

MIR. LaFollettes platform on
which he appeals for the votes OF
the American people, makes the
bl eaking up Of private monopoly in
industry in the United States a
pivotal plank. He says neither Of
the old parties, in their platforms,
have promised or intended to do
this; that a third party is neces-
sary, appealing to the voters OF
both the old parties. Mr.. LaFol-
lette assumes that it is possible
To restore the old order of eco
nomic conditions, and bring back
the cut-throat competition that
prevailed under that system.
His views of the breaking up OF,
private business cooperation, or
organizations that are now Operat-
ing in our industrial life, are not
ccncurred in by many Of the prog
ressives themselves. In North,
Dakota a LaFollette candidate for
congress voices opposition to Mr..
L. Follette's views in public adj
dresses, pointing out that the anti.
trust laws OF congress, designed to
do what LaFOllette declares is 4
remedy, have been unable to ac-
complish the purpose; that these
laws have fallen down in attempt
ing to break up combinations Of
manufacturing and labor interests;
that each group which now die
tates production and prices in their
own field, is supreme in the con-
troll of the output of iron, coal, oil,
steel, lumber, sugar, meat, mining,
manufacturing, transportation, and
all important business enterprises.
Suits in federal courts to break
up these monopolies have been in
stituted, but the results where they
have had effect at all have only
changed the superficial forms of
the combination, rather than up
rooted them. The execution of the
criminal penalties in the antitrust
laws, had not been enforced, for to
do this would be to treat as Grim
inals, the managers and stock
holders of nearly every great in
dustrial industry, but that OF
farmers.
Mr.. LaFollette's picture of the
distress and privations of those
groups, engaged in the above in
dustries, is greatly overdrawn.
Good wages, 8. higher standard of
living, enjoyment of the comforts
OF life, educational advantages and
many modern luxuries are had by
those groups; and if not had by
some of the individuals it is large
ly through their own folly or poor
judgment; for others in that group
). MI. ,ette's platform offers
no ahS Vlution for the agricul-
turak&pY oblem than the platforms
of either of the old parties. The
agricultural class, it is admitted,
stands out unprotected, as the one
great unorganized national indus
try. The surplus products of the
farm in the last four or five years,
have beemincreasing in abundance,
and the natural law of supply and
demand has; n,ainlyAQperated, hut
not entirely, in athe fixing of the
prices. <
To a certain extent, Mr.. LaFol-
lette is correct in saying that
through grain exchanges, eleva-
tor combinations, and packing
monopolies, the markets are ma
nipulated and prices fixed on all
products of the farm"
But this could only happen with
surullsl oftproducts which the
farmer dumps upon those who are
in position to handle the products
after they leave the farm.
Farmers instinctively know that
natural causes, due to require
ments of increased population, and
higher standards of living in the
United States, constitute an eco
rornic development new to this
country; and everyone who studies
the trend of events realizes that
these natural causes cannot be OBJ
liberated by legislation. Education,
with the farmers, is the first neces-
sity for real cooperation, and this
group, with even partial control OF
the food products, would soon be
in the supreme position of securing
a fair profit for farm products at
the hands of the other groups.
If the final result of business
combinations should result in op-
preston of other groups. then the
government if it stands for all, can
operate by assuming control for
all; and use a measuring rod to
limit the exactions which one class
might impose in hardships on an
other.
Mr.. LaFollette's scheme of re-
storing the old industrial condi-
tons and the solving of the farm
problem, is inadequate.
But in several instances he gives
a real warning, especially concern
ing the greed of those who made
millions out of war. and who sys-
tematically breed international
conflicts. This group is relentless,
and most dangerous to our safety.
and peace, when 1t can control an
administration and congress. M.
LaFollette wisely says this govern
ment must restrain our own war
makers, before we can hope for
world stability. and this govern
ment must join with France, Ger
many and Great Britain to do what
the common people of this and
those countries demand in the pre-
vcntion of war.-JamestOwn Alert.