The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-03-20

withers ambitions and brings disap.
point ments and encouragement,
where cheer and hope should reign
supreme. All efforts up to the present
Mr.. Editor, have been to treat the
effect rather than the cause, foz
I"Depression" which It's whole family
Of children know as unemployment
low farm prices, bank failures, loss
Of homes, increased crime, etc., Is
the effect of certain contributing
causes fundamental within the bust
ness and social structure Of our
civilization. The cause and not the
effect must be treated to bring real
relief. However, with from 12,00O,-
600 to 100000 unemployed and q
militant farm organization in Is states
land spreading rapidly to others, the
situation Is not altogether hopeless,
for these forces soon demand not a
new deal with the old deck but a
square deal with a new deck. They
will demand the repeal of the causes
OF depression.
Now, while we wait for national
developments, is there anything we
can do for ourselves? Everyone knows
that the great and pressing need is
food. It must be supplied regularly
| and often or disastrous results fol-
low. And because the worker has
been denied chance to sell his labor
power he finds 1t increasingly hard
to take care of this need. May we
offer suggestion as to q possible
way to accomplish this end. Con-
siderable publicity in national way
has been given, the back to the land
movement" for some time past as q
relief move and considerable has been
accomplished, especially In the east.
Recent information indicates that l.
500, 900 persons returned to the land
the first eight months OF 1882, with
more or less beneficial results espe-
cially in case Of those who had pre-
vious farming experience. AS in
dicated the need for food is constant,
absolute and irresistible, and must be
supplied, one way or another. and
since food comes from the soil this
method simply hurdles the complica-
tons of broken down distributing
system and brings the need and
source Of supply together.
Now in Bismarck there is a con-
siderable number whose food supply
is matter Of public concern and un-
certain at best. We have tributary
to Bismarck broad fertile acres cap
able Of producing much of this food,
some Of which possibly might be had
for these folks who could, by the APP
plication of their own labor, produce
the major part of their food require
ments, consisting of all kinds of vege-
tables, commonly growing here. A
canning project could be developed to
good advantage. Canning equipment
that is perfectly efficient, I am told,
can be purchased for about SIS per
unit. With nothing more extensive
than two or three of these outfits
huge quantities of corn, beans, peas,
etc., could be put up at a trifling
cost. And should surplus of this re-
suit from such operation it could
easily be disposed Of as little or no
commercial canning is carried on in
North Dakota.
To make such project success
full I should say that anywhere from
so to 100 persons or families par
ticipate. Our idea does not contem-
plate removal of persons from present
locations but to simply carry on close
in and such canning efforts as de-
sired could be in any suitable build
ing in the city which might be avail
able and should be supplied by the
city. Division of the products re-
sulting would not be difficult as some
could be made on basis of hours of
labor expended by participants. Con-
siderable matters OF detail, of course.
would be involved, none Of which
should be difficult to work out, and
! need not attempt discussion at this
time. The very first necessity in
this, as in other undertakings as see
it. is to first develop the desire to do
the thing After which ways and
means for Its accomplishment would
be found.
Some might think this foolish in
light of the farmers plight. How
ever, most farm folks even now have
plenty to eat, even If pockets are
empty and debts unpaid, but these
city jobleSS people are both empty
Of pocket and stomach. This Is an
attempt to fill the latter in part and
retain their self-respect while doing
1t with no thought of making money.
AS indicated we make no attempt at
detail, just hit the high spots and
present the idea in the rough which
is inspired in part by the recent pub
lished accounts of the accomplish
ments Of organized unemployed in
other sections. The situation is bad and
We all know 1t. think we should keep
hammering away for national relief,
both constructive and emergency, but
IN the meantime why not at least at
tempt something of and by ourselves
which might relieve the situation by
utilizing forces and resources at hand
but which, by reason Of economic de-
moralization, are not at present func-
tioning.
The writer would like to get the
reaction favorable or otherwise either
through Peoples Forum or by other
means.
Very truly.
c. D. MASON.
WHY! OH, WHY!
Underwood. N. D.
Jan. Is, 1888.