The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-07-02
Editorial Comment
For a Midwest Chamber of Commercs
Chicago Tribune)

There sincere and respectable differences of
opinion in regard to the efficacy economic
soundness of the McNary Haugen agricultural sur
plus control measure, but the vote that defeated
it primarily sectional vote. So far as the !
theoretical differences are concerned there
was well reasoned and authoritative opinion on
both sides. The issue did not divide conservative
from radical, for there were able conservatives
like Vice President Dawes, ex-Gov. Lowden and
the dsinterested British economist Sir Josiah
Stamp, in favor Of the surplus control plan, as
against the President and his formidable secretary
Of the treasury opposed to it.
There were some westerners, like Senator B0rah
opposed to it, for the sectional division had
its few exceptions, but what We hope the people
Of the midwest will learn from the fate of the
McNary measure and the general treatment of the
agricultural situation, is that there is sectional
| cohesion in the east which is deserving of imta-
ton in the west. The east, as The Tribune has
pointed out repeatedly, profits constantly by its
intelligent sense of its material interests and
moves with effective harmony in the practical
field of legislation. When it's important common
| interests are involved it is wide awake and well
| unified. 1t is not caught mapping. 1t does no.
weaken defeat itself by internal dssension.
/ The midwest will always be ineffective in mpos-
! ing upon national policy a proper regard for its
/ interests while we remain sectionally disorgan-
! lied, with adequate agencies for developing
sense Of our common western needs, with no west
ern cohesion of thought act. In the past
have subsidized into economic interests, although
these interests are vitality interdependent. The
western farmer, the western railroad manager, the
western business man, the western manufacturer
have fought another instead of thinking how
each could support the other, and, by q strnog
community of purpose based ON knowledge of our
common needs and problems. advance our common
welfare. Undoubtedly have done little to sup
press our half baked extremists. The east has
apenty also, but they are kept where they belong,
whereas in the west the sound and solid thinking
majority has let the crank and the agitator hold
the lmegh and offer themselves as representatives
Of western opinion.
The east afford to be compacent and con-
descending while western intelligence is narticu-
late and western power neutraized by an inter-
necine warfare between sanity and blatant radical
ism. Unquestionably eastern opinion is convinced
at this moment that the demand for agricultural
relief is denied only because it is irrational ig-
norant, unsound, and incompatible with the ma
tional welfare including, of course, that Of the
: west itself. But If the west were organized as
the east is and well able to work out its poll
cies and back them with its united weight. there
would be very different reception Of western
opinions, of western demands, of western pro-
posals Strength is respected, and the west is
strong only potentially In action it is distraught
4 and weak. 1t has not learned to know its own
n mind or present its case Blatherskites have
talked for us too much and too long. Yet western
thought public questions is As sound and far
sighted that Of the east. It is high time IL
learned to express itself and devised appropriate
agencies for composing at home its healthy differ
ences for suppressing its il-advised impulses and
e for evolving sound measures for the common fur.
therance of its interests in the national policy.
NJ The Tribune has suggested step in thi,
i direction and earnestly urges the creation Of
midwestern western chamber Of commerce IL
which all major economic interests shall hav.
Representations agriculture, western trans
!; portation. western commerce and manufacture.
Let US not procrastinate. Let us have don,
9 with differences that defeat US repeatedly. Lee
e US find way to be heard and to deserve to b
d heard. When find way we shall no longe
suffer the discrimination which has 30 long rouse
o orr resentment, sometimes to III considered pro
test. without moving US to effective selfdefense.
We are not preaching narrow sectionaliam
The west wants nothing but equity, nothing tina
. Twill not minister to the prosperity and progress
= Of the country. But it win not win consideration
I. until it learns how 70 compel It.
- ae1aA On h. Arthur Mefrh.r eonanyvative i. i.