The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-02-08

racing tue fdclS
There be no satisfactory solution Of the
states economic problems unless the voters at the
coming election take matters into their own hands
As long the issue CT state ndustriasm is in
volvcd with the fortunes Of politicians or the ex-
gencies Of politics, the voters Of this state will
continue to tug at their bootstraps.
On the one hand are the advocates of state owner
ship under the banner CT the Nonpartsan League
Fer the most part they honestly believe that gov
crnmental paternalism is the way cut. Losses they
explain away the ground that state ndustrialism
is in the formative and experimental stages. Fortu-
nately the tax rate is converting many away from
theories Of public ownership.
Opposed those commonly classed as l. V. A.
who stand for the Independent Voters Association.
This force believes in compromising with state
ownership. Experimentation within certain cash
limitations is the chief issue Of their platform.
The Nonpartisan League stands for honest adj
herence to the public ownership program within
the limitations of the Mill and Elevator and the
Bank Of North Dakota.
Opposed to them is the l. " A. of dishonest and
nabby compromise with state ownership, radical
ISM socialism what you will
Between the horns of this political dilemma
are Mr.. Voter and Mr.. Mere Taxpayer. They pay
the freight. Heads or tails they lose Every
b!ennium they pumped full Of bunk" from
which berates big business and pollparrots
about predatory wealth. The opposing camp, care
fully hedging state ownership, seeks to cap
turc the public pork by being both for and against
public ownership. They lambast state Industrial
ism in their political platform, but always compro-
mise with the voters the hustings by agreeing to
try it out.
Ever since state industralism became an issue,
the opposition to the Nonpartisan League has not
been based on principle at all--1nerely how We
get to the public crib Both factions have been
using the same bait for votes. That is the reason
why if either the |. " A. wins or the League wins,
the program Of state ownership, like Tennysons
brock, goes on forever.
Disguised with the l. " A. program of flabby and
dishonest compromise upon the plain issue Of
principle, voters at the last general election, Sc.
lccted one committed to give the Mill and Elevator
fair trial They sensed in the opposition merely
battle of the Gins" to stay en- and the "cuts" to
get into office.
Where Mr.. Voter get any relief out of a
situation such this? Naturally, if he thinks at
ALL he sees in the whole process a sordd battle for
public pef.
Unfortunately the United States senatorshp is
to become involved with state issues. r. A. Nestos,
whose political treachery retired Senator p. J. Nc
Cumber and landed Lynn J. Frazier in the United
States senate, issued statement recently which
should be repugnant to every loyal Coolidge Re-
publican in North Dakota He proposes to ride
80 fusion steed in the next campaign, half elephant
and half donkey. The less the Republicans of the
state have to do with the moribund l. " A. the
better for the party. When Democrats can help
Cy11inn Dn,,,,t 81
organization in North Dakota is no more.
1t would have been better political strategy to
have held the Republican convention as far away
from the meddlesome Twchells and their Demo-
ocrat.c allies possible. Until some form of party
regularity is established in this state, the present
POLITICAL chaos will continue. North Dakota Re-
pubcans under the fusion arrangement arc Civ
ing Democrats a voice in formulating state issues
and debating national candidates. Less itch for
public office and more regard for the PRINCIPLES Of
the party needed, but such contamination un
der fusion is impossible The present fusion align
mcnt is not in the interest of the voters and tax
payers bat merely machine - CONTROL public
patronage.
The voters must look to another source to gain
their ends if they are really opposed to state owner
ship. Nominations for the state legislature const-
tutc the most important matter before the voters
More important by far than the election of United
States senator or the general of state execu4
tive officers. Legislators control the policies and
purse strings of the state. Little care is paid to
their selection. Everybody gets excited over the
more ornamental Offices because they mean patron
age. But relief must come from the state legisla-
ture. Farmers and business men throughout the
length and breadth of the state should unite in
selecting legislature that will put an end to state
-. LII
ducing the public debt.
There is nc other way out. Politicians interested
in landing jobs are not going to fight this battle
for you, Mr.. Voter. Seek out the various egisla-
Tive candidates before the primaries and make such