The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-01-08
Looking Forward

Looking Forward
Nineteen thirty-tvo may be a cru
ial year in tho history Of the United
{ states.
For more than two years we have
: injured one Of the most severe and
prolonged general depressions of all
J ime-in company with the other ma
ions Of the world. There is no magic
! 'emedy for curing economic ills-how
soon our problems will be solved.
argely, is up to us, as individuals, and
rs members Of a complicated society.
h Nineteen thirty-two is "presiden-
stial year." Ordinarily, such an cleo
sstion and the political questions it
raises, would loom large on the hori-
szon. But this is not an ordinary pc
Sriod and party political issues have
become. in the public mind, very
small thing when contrasted with Geo.
inomic and social issues. People who
are wondering how to find jobs, arc
not interested in political chickering's.
The greatest danger of depression
Is that we may lose our heads-that
"a sort Of mob hysteria may take the
place of reason. We may try to over
come economic law with panaceas. AL
ready many such efforts are being
proposed. The new congress, before
it has completed its session. will be
swamped with suggestions for reliev-
ing the unemployed with gigantic
bond issues; for helping the farmer
with governmental subsidies and at
tcnnpts at -fixation; for helping
the small business at the expense OF
the large one; for helping the poor
and those of moderate means by over
taxing the wealthy.
While such proposals may be made
in good faith. most of them are based
on misconceptions.
Prosperity will return as the result
of stimulated employment, stimulated
buying, stimulated trade, commerce
and building. We cannot produce that
by frightening the capital we need.
We cannot do it through government
tai mcddling, which inevitably forces
retrenchment and inaction on the
businesses it touches and, by example,
on the entire business structure.
We cannot create prosperity by
hcaping additional tax burdens on
businesses and individuals already
struggling under tremendous tax
bill. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is
not sound economics. All taxes must
eventually be paid by the public
business must pass all costs onto those
who buy its products or services. For
the nation to go further into debt, to
appropriate additional millions and
billions for temporary and unsound
relief schemes. is the height of folly.
Our basic industries have shown a
commendable spirit in seeking to
solve their problems, which, in reality,
are the workers problems and the
consumers problems Power, insur-
ancc, oil, gas, railroads, farm organi-
zations-all have shown progressive
tendencies. They realize the duty that
is upon them to prevent, SO far as pos
siblc, the up-and-down swing of the
business chart in We future-the
booms that are followed by drops, the
initiation that precedcs deflation. They
are working to stabilize employment,
to find means of assuring the good
worker his livelihood at all times, to
protect the future Of workers when
they get beyond their point Of useful
ness.
Business can do this better than
government.
There are problems. Of course. that
no nation can hope to solve alone,
problems Of international significance
These. too. the public must take an
interest In. II we are to have officials
capable Of representing us in the work
Of world rehabilitation. Disarmament
the encouragement Of international
trsde, . sound tariff policy for all ma.
tions these may seem abstract things
hit tlaey have ! direct and important
effect a TIE prosperity Of every coun.
~, every business. every wage-earnel
ana inve1b6g.
~ tepeet, leo3 VII y IN outstand'
IN ysar . ar HISTORY. Il viii b
yoar q ersat rsohlsms ~ Of our N
1891 e1aar1etsr. responsiveness and
~ Nill - nsedsd = soiys them
nTees and faith must displao'