The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-01
Cannot Delay Much Longer

difficult task than the one which
confronts North Dakota's law -mak-
ing body next month. Most states
are in the same boat Public treas
uries are low. Balances have gone
and deficits remain.
No good can be served by holding
up this state as horrible example.
It is no worse off than South Da-
kota. T. is vastly better off than
many other states that can be
named.
The lesson has been learned gen.
orally that prosperity cannot be leg
islated. No fiat of law will keep the
cupboard full, fill the land with
plenty or distribute it perfectly &C
cording to altruistic theories.
North Dakota has passed the stage
of experimentation in state-owned
industries. 1t is hard to believe there
will be any demand for extension
from a legislature under strict man.
date Of the people to cut and trim
budgets. There is no money in the
farmers jeans for the politicians 20
60 radical on. Politicians may talk
that way on the hustings to get votes
and into soft jobs during these hard
times, but the radicalism doubtless
will stop when the elected official
gets his commission as he is now
faced with the problem Of making an
official dollar 60 twice as far as it
did two or three years ago. When
tax money rolls In freely the ten
dency to indulge In this and that
economic vagary is most tempting.
The temptation may be here in North
Dakota but there are no funds to in
dulge in more costly theories.
The piper Is standing in the offing
waiting to be paid off. His bill is
long overdue.
It Is felt that the legislature which
convenes here next month realizes
the situation perfectly. Initiated
measures will force an economy of
$2,5oo,00o
Effect Of the salary cut voted in
November cannot be determined un-
til the courts decide what the new
laws provide, but whatever reductions
are made will go toward balancing
the budget.
No clearer mandate to a North Da-
kota legislature has ever been as en-
phatically laid down by an aroused
electorate than is reflected in the
November protest. This should fore
close any tendency to run wild with
public funds.
A most perplexing situation pre-
sents itself to the legislature. Prom
Uses have been made by some state
officials that taxes will be eased as
far as the farm is concerned and
shifted to other channels. How that
is to be done has not been definitely
outlined. Even though income tax
rates are upped, it is doubtful wheth-
err the revenue would be forthcom-
ing. North Dakota city incomes have
gone down with farm incomes. One
class cannot prosper in this state
while the other suffers.
There is some mention of a sales
tax along the lines laid down by the
state of Mississippi. This law, it Is
reported, is in favor with the rural
population there. Some officials are
urging such a law as replacement
tax only.
Unless state budgets are to be
slashed heavily and curtailments eff
fected in the states educational pro-
gram, more revenue must be raised to
meet demands.
North Dakotas bond issues must
be financed and placed on a better
basis. This calls for more sacrifices
on the part Of the taxpayers. When
the follies for which farmer anc
business men must now pay are
finally liquidated, there should be
few people in the state unconvinced
Of the error Of their way.
As the years roll on, the people OF
the state must pay more and more tt
sustain these so-called state indus.
tries without any hope that the so.
called profits will begin to take care
Of the bond interest, not to mention
any provision for sinking fund re.
tirement.
Regardless OF the merits Of the en-.
terprises for which these bonds were
Issued, they are obligations Of thu
state and must be met. This admin.
istration will be called upon to levy
heavily to meet the burdens these