The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-11
(Officisl City. State and County
NeWspaper)


The "Good Minds Speak
If the thoughts of the average good
American mind mean anything we
are scheduled to see either a reduc-
ton In European debt payments or
further postponement Of them; to see
the tariff reduced; to see the federal
reserve system given thorough over
hauling and to see some sort OF
managed industrial economy adopt
ed to guide this nations business des-
TIMES.
The good American minds in ques-
ton are those Of the members OF the
national economic league, an organ
ization Of which Charles g. Dawes.
good Republican and head of the
presidents emergency corporation, Is
president. Among other officers are
John Hays Hammond, James Rowland
Angel, president Of Yale University;
Frank o. Lowden, Nicholas Murray
Butler and Silas H. Strawn, president
of the National Chamber OF Com
1nerce.
They have organized group of
'thoughtful, public spirited men"
throughout the country without re-
gard to party or occupation, to de-
termine both what the nation is
thinking and what 1t ought to think
on questions Of Importance. All par
ties and all viewpoints are repre-
sented. The membership totals 5000.
In addition to sending recent
QUESTIONABLE to members of this
council, the inquiry was sent to q Sc
lected group of non-members. An
swering a question about German
reparations and the international
debts, IA per cent Of the council felt
they should be cancelled, 80 per cent
were for reduction, Al per cent were
for further postponement and 10 per
cent failed to vote. On the special
committee, a per cent favored can
collation., 80 per cent were for reduc-
ton, Is per cent for further post
ponement and per cent did not an
swer.
Answering the question on the tar
if, Is per cent Of the council fav-
ored reduction as promptly as pos
sible, three per cent wanted a higher
tariff and 20 per cent favored the
status quo. OF the special group 90
per cent were for prompt reduction,
none wanted a higher tariff and eight
per cent favored the present rates.
The banking questions were: Should
central banks, including the federal
reserve, adopt more positive policy
ca for preventing initiation and de-
flation: (b) for utilizing the power of
gold and credit to lessen the fluctua-
ton Of production and unemploy-
ment. On question A, the council
voted 81 per cent yes and 9 per cent
no, while the special group voted 100
per cent yes. To question B the coun-
ellis answer was "a per cent yes and
is per cent no, while the special COM
mittee voted 80 per cent yes and 10
per cent no.
The question Should q National
Economic Advisory Council be estab-
Nshed to suggest policies for pro-
noting the economic betterment Of
the country?" was divided into three
parts. To the general question, 80
per cent Of the council answered yes
and II per cent no, while among the
on-councillors the vote was 81 per
cent and 10 per cent.
To part !, Should such a council
be under the auspices of the govern
ment." rs per cent of the council an
swered yes aud the same decision was
given by an equal number OF non
councillors.
sixty-two per cent Of the council
lors and 70 per cent Of the non-coun-
cil members favored suggestion two.
Il was: Should it be formed by
larger appointive board in which are
represented the department of COM
merce and organizations represent
in9 labor. agriculture, manufacturing,
sailroads, banking. public utilities,
distributing trades, law, engineering,
professional economists, ETC."
question three drew support from
6nly r. per cent Of the councillors
md three per cent Of councillors.
IS was SHOULD this council be
5ormed n some other way?"
Ii a ql1oetion as to revising the anti
trust hws 70 permit business con-