The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-12


not posing as an expert myself,
therefore submit it with some hest
tation. But If survey should be
made each year before harvest in the
manner that surveys are now being
made by the government and the
grain Industries, but in the interests
of the farmer and an accurate esti-
mate Of the probable production made
and then all grain in excess of that
needed to meet the probable demand
could be cut on the green side to be
used for feed, such cutting to be in
the proper percentage of the crop Of
each producer, then it would seem
that the surplus would disappear and
the farmer could demand reason
able price for his product. This of
course would require cooperation be-
tween the grain producers not only OF
this state but of the other states of
the union.
And here Is where our state govern
ment could lend its assistance. The
governors and representatives Of the
graingrowing states could confer with
one another and with experts, such
as the economists connected with our
education institutions and those spe-
cially skilled in the subjects to be
studied, and if any of the proposed
methods were found feasible (wheth-
er 1t be those proposed by the advo-
Gates of Dollar Wheat" or by the
conversion of percentage Of the
growing crops into feed before har-
vest. or by any other means, then leg
islation favorable to the creation of
cooperative organizations could be
recommended and laws proposed to
enforce the covenants of those enter
ing into contracts to carry out the
purposes of such organizations and
legislatures could enact such laws and
the executive officers could then en-
force them, leaving the risk Of the
experiment and the business Of opera
ton to the organizations themselves.
And all of this assistance could be
given by the government without go
ing beyond the functions Of govern
mental purposes. In some such ways
and in numerous other ways could the
basic industry of erriculture be pro-
NOTED without the government in
dulging in activities which are not
within the nature of governmental
functions.
In Harmony With Murray
The Democratic plans to encourage
legislation to promote agriculture is
in sharp contrast to the methods pro-
posed by our opponents and also more
in harmony with the conduct of the
governor of Oklahoma referred to by
the Republican candidate for gov
ernor in his New Rockford speech.
Being a candidate for governor and
therefore being the spokesman OF
those who stand with him for cleo
ton, I assume he measured his Ian
guage and did not permit his enthu-
siasm to cause him to exaggerate.
According to the published report
of his keynote speech he said:
Had I been governor during
the last few months, 4 would
have declared an embargo on
wheat. I would do the same as
our own Alfalfa Bill" who de-
clared martial law and increased
the price of oil. Only coward
hides behind the word 'unconsti-
tutional.'
When I take office, If wheat
T. e. 1tc h,,c hal
promise that not one bushel will
be shipped out of the state at that
price. We have the power in the
hands of public officials to pro-
tect the farmer and common peo-
pie. If we had the governor of
the type of Alfalfa Bill" we would
be getting 81 wheat right now"
The laws give us a tremend-
Gus amount of power. We can do
as much as the constitution per-
mits, and we will not hide behind
the word unconstitutional"
I think I see extravaganza If not
absurdity in the statement.
In the first place Mr.. Murray now
is and for some considerable time has
been governor of Oklahoma and the
price of wheat is no higher in Okla
homa than it is in North Dakota. :.
So there is no justification for Mr..
Langer's assertion If we had gov
ernor of the type of Alfalfa Bill" we
would be getting 81 wheat right
now"
I am afraid our opponents are not
familiar with the situation under
which Mr.. Murray invoked the mill
tary power Of Oklahoma in relation to
the oil output and such situation is
entirely inapplicable as precedent
for increasing the price of wheat.
The Oklahoma situation has been
before the courts of the United States
and any lawyer can look the questions
up and speak with authority on the
subject.
In 1928 oil was discovered in a new
field in Oklahoma. The land above
deposits is owned by So different per-
sons. Flows from the deposits below
the surface reduce the pressure in
all the connected parts so if one of
the owners of the wells permits an
excessive amount to be taken from his
we'll then the other owners suffer IN
proportion.
To protect all who are owners in
common of the supply of oil under the
surface and also to prevent waste of
natural resource. Oklahoma has
passed laws prohibiting the drawing
of more than his fair proportion by
each owner from the common source
Of supply.
Simply Enforced Law
Notwithstanding this law, and in the
face of it. certain owners Of wells
were drawing off more than their
share, thereby causing great waste
Of this natural resource of Oklahoma.
and were doing irreparable damage
to the other owners Of the common
source of supply, and governor MUIR
ray simply used the power of his Of
flee and called the police power OF the
state to prevent this waste. This &C