The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-12-04
e. ON TIN u e n
Heart Disease ID
Fatal to One-Time
Farm Board Leader

= farm board, Mr.. Hoover decided q
Alexander Lesgs = chairman.
Almost tmmediately he got atten
/, ton through his open-war With Jultu
H. BarneA grain dealer, chairmA,
OF the directors Of the United State
Chamber Of Commerce. and 4 clos
friend Of the president.
Legge was trying to organize th.
farmers into position Of controlling
their own marketing system. He VA
opposed BY the western grain dealers
Barnes led the attack, but he appar.
entity received no encouragement from
the White House.
Made vigorsus Defense
The farm board was assailed as Or
experiment n state socialism. Legge
shouldered the burden and made re.
piles that have become classics II
Washington.
Once when he was in a row with
Senator Caraway, Democrat, Of Ar
kansas, he astonished Newspaper meu
BY saying:
Senator Caraway and I are in per-
feet agreement"
After this had sunk in, he added:
Each Of US believes that nothing
could DO gained by talking to the
other"
Newspaper correspondents stormed
Legge's office during the boards Pc
Rod Of stabuixing tho wheat market
BY surplus stocks The market sank
to prices unheard Of in years. The
reporters believed the board had lost
millions Of dollars and would lose mil
lions more.
One night they demanded that he
lay his cards on the table. In q calm.
quiet voice, he said:
THE board still has sufficient
credit balance to buy every bushel OF
wheat on the American market. That
would do It, wouldn't IT,"
When he resigned, he reaffirmed
his faith In the farm board. He said
it would be in existence long after
you and I are gone"
While In washington. Legge avoid
ed social life. He worked early and
late, but wanted nothing to do with
dinners and receptions. The farm
board was entertained one night &C
the White House. When It was o:4S,
the chairman announced he was tired
and sleepy and was going home. A
fellow member exclaimed:
"But that isn't etiquette. You must
wait until the president says good
night"
Offers . Suggestion
straightway Legge made for his
host. Mr.. President" he said, Il
am tired and sleepy. Don't you think
you ought to 90 to bed and get some
rest?"
The president smiled understands
lngly, agreed It was . good idea and
brought the affair to the point where
the suggestion could be put into ef-
feet.
When the United States went into
he World War. Bernard NJ. Baruch,
chairman Of the War Industry Board,
needed someone to head the Allied
Purchasing comlhission, 1eggc's name
vas on the list Of eligibles
Baruch had never heard Of him.
There's your man." said an as
'istant. HE knows Europe, he knows
human nature. Is q shrewd trader and
straight % die. He Is an unbeatable
tighter and has a rare combination
4 talent for leadership and gentle
ness"
90 Baruch got Legge.
In managing tho commission, Leg
res long experience In purchasing and
production made 1t possible for him to
landle the nations buying Of 3l0..
100, DOC, 900 worth Of war supplies.
In May. 1918. Legge became vice
chairman Of the War Industry board.
! month later he organized the re-
|utrements branch, estimating Amer
cas- war materials needs for the Of
enstv0 that ended the war.
Shortly before the close Of the con.
lict. Legge went to England to CO.
'rdinate dispatch Of supplies and
Ifter the Armistice he made q survey
4 devastated areas.
F1attened Diplomat
One Of the classic stories told about |
hose strenuous days In Washington