The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-11-07

lie BISMARCK TRIBCN
part Of Mr.. LANCER an unwarranted
desire for increased power. The mea-
sure on its face to the layman looks
innocent, but to those who are fami-
liar with our political code and those
statutes dealing with the formation of
our various policies, the proposed
measure was significant and almost
diabolical in its object. He proposed
to do away with the board Of admins
tration and transfer all those powers
to the industrial commission.
Sought Personal Power
The board Of administration is a
non-political board, consisting of five
members, two of whom are elected
three of whom are appointed for a
period of six years-but of those ap-
pointed no two members terms ex-
pire at the same time. It is what Is
known in common language as a
staggered board and the governor has
the opportunity of appointing only
one member of that board in any one
term of office. This keeps the board
from having definite political COM
plexion and, as far as we know, it has
never had particular political color
ing.
This is the board that has charge of
all our public institutions, educational,
penal and charitable. It has the
handling of approximately five million
dollars year, and enters into con-
tracts with those furnishing the ma
terials and supplies for our various
institutions to the amount of several
million dollars year. It has the
control over all the employees, and
the right to hire and fire.
The industrial commission consists
of the governor, attorney general, and
commissioner of agriculture and la
Dor. Mr.. LANCER. as governor, would
of necessity be the dominating head
of that board.
The board of administration, as far
as we know, has always functioned
with fairness and efficiency and we
know of no reason for a change. and
the only reason Mr.. LANCER could
have in mind is to vest himself with
these additional powers and preroga-
tives. 1t would place all the en-
ployees, from the president of the
university to the humblest employee
in our penal institutions, directly un-
der the political control of the COVER
nor. We believe If this proposed mea-
sure should become a law the COVER
nor would have more power in North
! Dakota than Mussolini has in italy.
Who Vculd Be Served?
| He proposed further to do away with
the receiver of closed banks, and pro-
vide for a new banking department,
the head of which would be appoint
ed by this same industrial commits
sion. From time immemorial receiv-
ers have been appointed by the courts.
The receiver of closed banks at the
present time is under the direction
and control of the supreme court OF
the State of North Dakota and it
would be an unusual departure in our
form of government to transfer the
appointing and control of the receiv-
er of closed banks, with their many
deputies, assistants and managers,
from the courts, where they properly
belong, to the direction and control
of a board of which the governor IS
the head. It would vest him with that
additional political power and IN TINS
connection we cannot forget that Mr..
LANCER, as a successful practicing at
torney, is the representative of clients
holding claims against closed banks
under the control of the receiver to the
extent of several million dollars. And
he would be placing himself In the
position, if the measure carried, where
he would have to serve two masters.
First, the state of which he Is COVER
nor. Second, the clients who hold
claims against closed banks, whom he
, represents.
And in closing I wish to call your
attention to one matter which to my
mind discloses the attitude OF mind
which Mr.. LANCER entertains toward
!, the state of North Dakota and as
showing where his heart and interest
lies.
Sought Cold Million
In 1928 he promoted and sponsored
an initiated measure to amend the
constitution of the state of North Da-
kota to provide for bonding the state
to the extent of twenty-five million
dollars: the funds to be used to pay
the depositors in closed banks. For
tunately for North Dakota, the voters
defeated that measure. The fact re-
mains, however, that Mr.. LANCER was
instrumental in having that measure
prepared, the petitions circulated, and
placed upon the ballot. He financed
the entire enterprise.
If this measure had carried the
state would have been mortgaged to
the tune of twenty-five million dol
lars. A large part-approximately
half of it-would have gone to depos-
itors who live outside the state OF
North Dakota, who had sent their
money in here because Of the lure OF
high interest, and when they did that
they should have been taking their
own chances.
We would have been mortgaging the
state to help out people living In 9TH
er states, but the motive underlying
the movement is found in the fact
that Mr.. LANCER was reported to rep.
resent claimants against closed banks
to the extent of approximately 81,
million dollars, and If the measure
had carried his clients would have
received six million dollars, less at
torneys fee, which, as near as we car
estimate, would be in excess OF a mil
lion dollars.
This is only significant as showing