The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-28
S0RLIE'S DOOR
NEVER CLOSED
TO ANY PERSON
Called North Dakota's Great
est Exponent,of Open Door
Policy
POPULAR WITH CHILDREN
Relieved That q Governor
Should Keep Close to His
Constituents
POPULAR WITH CHILDREN

Friends Of Governor Sorlie, COM
menting today on his personality
and characteristics as evidenced by
his acts as governor, said that he
will be remembered as North Da.
kota's greatest exponent of the
"Open door" policy.
The door to his private office in
the capitol building was almost
never closed. Visitors to the execu.
tive offices who came merely in the
hope Of seeing and greeting the gov.
ernor were never disappointed. He
always was available and always
had for them a warm smile and
firm handclasp.
He was especially popular with
children and unfailing in kindness
and courtesy where they were con.
cerned. Teachers often conducted
their classes through the capitol
building and visited the governors
office. It was q rare occasion when
the executive did not find time to bid
them welcome.
Kept Close to People
The "open door policy" Of the gov
ernor was deliberate. It was his
idea, he often told visitors, that a
governor should keep as close as
possible to the people who elected
him and that the job was one in
which the biggest opportunity was
that Of service to the state and its
people. The most humble private
citizen was as welcome as the most
prominent political or business lead
er and his views were received with
as much interest and attention. To
those about him the governor often
expressed the view that the saver
age man has q world of common
sense and the biggest problem in the
world are those Of the average man."
His idea was to conduct the affairs
OF state with the same carefulness
and common sense which the aver.
age citizen displays in his personal
affairs.
A firm believer in his state and
its destiny, the governor often told
visitors that the people of North
Dakota had a better understanding
Of their. problems as a state than
those of other commonwealth be-
cause they took more interest in
them. His constant interest in the
views OF the average citizen was a
natural growth from this attitude
and he often commented that the
views OF the citizen who had no in.
terest in state affairs other than the
interest of any good citizen were
often worth more than the views Of
persons who might have an Interior
interest.
Desired Efficiency
In his appointments the governor
always contended that efficiency was
the end most to be desired regard
less OF political views and affilia-
tons. The manner in which he car.
ried out this policy often brought
him censure from leaders in his own
political group but the governor con.
stantly contended that service to the
state was more important than rec
ognitlon OF political prominence.
No matter how heavy his schedule
OF appointments he always insisted
that he was not busy and that he
never worked.
! never work." he told interview
ers scores Of times. 1T is fun for
me and I like it. never think of
my duties here as work. That Is
why l always have enjoyed myself. y
AT the same time the governor en-.
Joyed the reputation Of being q hard
worker and built for himself a com
portable fortune before coming "a
the governorship.