The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-01-10
Governor Sorlie's Message


which convened today. He has invited thor
ough and searching investigation Of his man.
agement of the State Mill and Elevator at
Grand Forks and, without rancor or political
flourish, has pointed out the damage continual
criticism and frequent audits do to the business
Of that state enterprise.
He has placed the business phases Of the In
dustry before the members Of the legislature
who in the final analysis can alone determine
the policies and future Of the State Mill and
Elevator. BY two-thirds vote, the legisla.
ture can expand or curtal activities at Grand
Forks and, in the same manner. the legislators
can formulate policy that will prevent con-
tinual sabotage on the part of politicians
against this state enterprise, which has since
its construction been political football
Regardless of the opinions pro or con as to
the wisdom of state-owned enterprises such as
the Mill and the Bank of North Dakota, it
must be admitted that Governor Sorlie's man.
agement of the mill has been the best in the
history of that institution. Governor Sorlie
believes sincerely that the Mill and Elevator
is an effective marketing agent and that direct
and Indirect benefits to the farmers and people
generally of the state justify it's continuance.
Governor Sorle is absolutely sound in his
position that if the enterprise at Grand Forks
IS to be continued. there should Re revamping
in the policies followed, chief of which is the
passage Of protective legislation that will clint
mate useless audits and curtail the kind Of
publicity which breaks down sales organization
and lowers the general efficiency of the state
enterprise. If mills, elevators and banks,
owned and operated for profit by the state are
to be part of the state machinery, it is to the
interest of the taxpayers and people generally
that3they be run as efficiently as possible and
that deliberate and mischievous attempts to
wreck them be curbed as vigorously as lies
within the power of the legislature. But if, on
the other hand the legislature after due inves-
tigation and elaboration decides that the time
has come to dispense with such governmental
activities, there should be no delay in getting
out 81 the business. Such move will demand
courage of the highest order and undoubtedly
two-thirds majority to put over such rad-
cal change in state policy cannot be secured.
There is no indication that the farmers of the
state, who are in the majority, want the mill,
the elevator or the bank closed and such ell
tefprises liquidated and the state take it's med
icine now as the initial step toward ending a
policy of state ownership adopted at several
elections.
The legislature can take either horn of the
dilemma which the governors message presents.
One political faction is solidly behind all state
enterprises, even to the extent Of recommend
Ing the erection at Fargo of million dollar
terminal elevator as an adjunct to the Grand
Forks grain terminal. In convention and upon
the hastings, prominent members of the oppos-
Ing faction have urged an abandonment Of
state ownership as fixed policy of North Da-
kota, but they have been vague and indefinite
- to how such an end could be achieved. The
utate has some four million dollars invested at
Grand Forks. Any attempt to sell or scrap
this investment must be through legislative
consent and It Is very doubtful whether the
voters OF the state would approve such an ac-
don.
II If the opposing political factions cannot
agree upon future policy for state-owned
enterprises which will insure harmonious man.
agement Of them, there is still third way out
lot the difficulty. Measures could be referred
Ito the voters, taking the state out of the flour
and banking business. This could be submit
ted at special election in which no other is
sues were joined and at time when every
voter could most conveniently 20 to the polls.
These are the three major issues which
Governor Sorlie's message raises either direct
! N Or inferentially. The legislature should, re-
Eeardless Of politics, weigh each Of them care
/ fully and in the light Of the reports and the
! functions, management and policies of the
Estate Mill, Elevator and Bank.
y should not take long to arrive st deci-
ieou. Is the political factions when they get
illfo conference are hopelessly divided, . wise
ieouree would Be to strengthen the hands Of the
Ie3ecutiyes charged with the management Of
1k1e 4ll Elevator and Bank to that end that
aese enterprises can = run 80 = to be a
20 burden. actual q potential, $ q pos
le. s North Dalpcta must xelnain IS hieh.y
Mpeftftye buslnesses, the continual criticism
1N4 coaGe. Holding up this state TO the M
III ~ oocioltotte, bolohovistic and n every
~ ~ tezTihlos 81 tho family 81
loa III 4ott 1tal a TIE boot mterests Of
Acea. u seEvos no purpose. Other