The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-06
Not 4 New Policy

Publicity is a well established function OF prar-
tically every highway department in the United
States. 1t is not policy with tn" preScn.
North Dakota Highway Commission W. G. Black.
former secretary and Gov X. A. Ncs,os, former
chairman Of the commission. keen for develop
ing this side Of the commissions activity. They
only regretted that funds did not permit a more
extensive policy.
Anticipating that the use of highway funds for
purely publicity purposes might be criticized, the
Highway Commission decided to publish bulletin
supported by subscriptions and advertising many
other states do. The venture was success from
the first number. Advertisers are glad to get their
message before the clientele Of the Highway Bullc-
tin. No state funds used.
The editor of the Bulletin is employed on many
matters not concerned with publicity. He recently
settled som" $4,000 for surplus materials
owed the state by the various counties. This
unfinished business the former administration
He has also made a survey Of the department from
an efficiency standpoint and some Of the ideas adj
vanced will be carried out. When employed. he
was to have the title OF assistant secretary of the
commission, but Mr.. Black designated him as Pub
LEFTY Director, although former publicity men were
designated as Office assistants.
To criticize the publicity work of the Highway
Department is mere piTle, Every federal depart
ment OF government coming in contact with the
public has its publicity and the money
pended for the most par, is legitimate for it
quants the taxpayer with the functions of his gov
eminent and keeps him informed to what Is be-
ing accomplished More reports to the public
through the press written in newspaper style would
produce better government.
That tho publicity work of the department went
unchallenged when another administration at
the helm convcts the critics of rather par
IN
from that kind of carpng criticism, especially when
campaign is being launched to raise some 100000
to carry on a work similar to what the Highway
Bulletin is seeking to do.
1t might be a relief to the meticuous politicians
on the other side Of the fence to know that the
publicity work is not costing the taxpayers of North
Dakota a penny.
In the publication Of this magazine the North
Dakota Highway Commission is but following the
example set by nearly every highway department in
the country Wisconsin, Iowa. Texas, New Hamp-
shire. Wyoming, Alabama Florida, Georgia. South
Carolina are just few OF these states. Even the
United States Bureau Of Public Roads issues such
publication In a number Of instances. public
funds are used for this purpose, but not 80 in North
dakota. irrespective of the law in the matter
surely any fair minded person will agree that any
means that will give the public any information
concerning the work of its public servants can an
should serve useful purpose.
me Highway Bulletin is not a brand new idea
or the present highway body: it is but CARRYING out
the policy advocated by its predecessors apponces
OF former Gov r. A. Nestos Thus in 1923 the
Highway Department issued single bulletin and
apologized for its failure to publish additional num-
hers in this language:-
The State Highway Commission has
never felt that it had sufficient funds to
publish regularly bulletin such as other
highway departments For this reason the
people Of North Dakota have had very
limited opportunity for becoming acquainted
with the work of the department."
mat bulletin issued as supplement to the an
huaI report was paid for out Of public funds. The
last Highway Commission consisting of Gov r A.
Nestos, }. A. Pourpore, o. A. Brown and others in
It's biennial report ending June 3oth 1924 specific
ally recommends the publication of a bulletin az
follows
In addition to the items, present
plans contemplate sometime in the future
when funds are available, to issue a monthly
bulletin as a medium for supplying the pub
Tic with information of interest concerning
the progress, activities, etc, Of this; depart
ment."
Is u crime to adopt the advice OF the Nestos
BOARD ana put it into practice, not by the use OF
public money as suggested above but by solicitation
of advertising and subscriptions?
Subsidy
Secretary Hoover considers "direct subsidy"
unnecessary for the development of air transporta
ton. 80
That is fortunate. The Amer lean rseople have no
objection to subsidies. and have approved many
very popular ones. But they do not like them by
that name.
They will not object to paying for surveying and
lighting the air ways, fur nishing air ports free and
b arranging the com, ensation for carrying the