The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-11-03
Really a Confession

SPONTANEOUS OSlSlu puUIAoAACO AIS4SAaA'
All rights of republication OF all other
matter herein are also reserved.
Really a Confession
II one accepts the premises OF any
socialistic orator 1t is impossible to
disagree with his conclusions. The
only basis for argument in such dis
cussions is whether the groundwork OF
facts is correctly stated.
This truism holds in the case Of A.
G. Townlcy. now touring the state to
acquaint the people with his ideas
about proper organization of the body
polite for the common good.
No North Dakotan will disagree
with the aims which Townley sets
forth. The picture which he paints
is very attractive. All Of us would like
to see the countryside dotted with
small factories which would give our
people employment during such sea-
sons as they are not occupied on the
farm. No ono will disagree with the
idea that better exchange Of prod
ucts between farmers and workers is
desirable.
But one wonders little II Townley
knows what he Is talking about when
he discusses means. He suggests, for
example, that the government will
supply the money to construct these
factories. Would it?
If it financed the construction Of a
shoe factory it would put itself into
competition with the shoe makers
and shoe workers-in Massachusetts
and certain midwestern centers.
II it financed operation OF a wool
blanket factory, it would be cutting
the ground from beneath the feet of
private manufacturers in Wisconsin,
Oregon and other states, and SO on
down the list.
Il the government Of the United
States were designed exclusively for
the benefit Of the people Of North Da-
kota the idea might be sound. But
the fact is that we are only one Of 48
states in the union, and not the most
important one at that. The govern
ment would be far more likely to IL
nance farmers in the eastern states to
raise wheat in order to knock down
our prices than it would be to finance
Q shoe factory for us in order to re-
duce the income of eastern labor.
The one suggestion is about as rea-
sonable as the other.
Il is notable that Townleys bright
picture is based on the idea OF gov-
eminent rather than Of state spon-
sorship.
There may be two reasons for this
The first is that Townley is obvious
~ In no position to speak for the
government. II he has any influence
with those who now control the ma
tons destinies it does not appear on
the surface.
The second is that by so doing he
draws attention away from the pos
sibility Of his new program costing the
state money.
IN effect ne makes q confession.
casts the shadow upon his assertion
that he is out to revive the original
Nonpartisan League program. Were
he really doing as he says, he would
recommend that the state finance
these enterprises by the issuance OF
more bonds.
But maybe he knows that the pro.
gram which he advocated In 1916 al
ready has cost the people of North
Dakota 100000. win cost still more
before it Is finished.
He may be fully aware that the
Bank Of North Dakota is attempting
to refinance its land loans through
the new federal set-up. He may real
l1e that the one argument made for
the recent attempt to saddle Z sales
tax on the people was the need for
paying bonds which were floated In
line with the Townley idea.
Those are factual arguments against
further acceptance BY North Dakota
Of Townley's leadership Of Towuley's
ideas. He could not be expected to
mention them.
T