The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-08-29
Answer to a Letter

Answer to a Letter
The Tribune prints in this issue
letter from A. F. Kudick, secretary
of the Bismarck Unemployed coun-
Gil, In which he takes exception to a
recent editorial. It is always glad to
print bona fide letters on subjects
of interest and, even In those cases
where public disagreement has SEEM
ed advisable, it has granted the good
faith Of the authors.
It does so In Mr.. Kudicks case. His
letter represents a point OF view
which should be studied by every
one who seeks clear understanding
Of the current situation.
Latest information from the state
relief director places the number of
families receiving aid at 1000 with
five individuals to the family. This
means $4,000 persons dependent on
the public. The maximum number
was l2y648 families in April. At that
time approximately $1,000 OF North
Dakota's 100000 inhabitants were ION
relief"
No one challenges the right Of any
individual to be on that list. In nor
NAL times charity has been doled
out only to those who were consid-
cred deserving" by the benefit dis
pensers, the explanation being that
some persons prefer begging to sup
porting themselves by honest labor.
1t is clear, as Mr.. Kudick suggests,
that this system cannot be enforced
in times when means of earning
living are denied to many who would
much prefer to work.
X X X
Yet, there Is no Disgusting the fact
that these are bonanza days for the
individual who has always begged for
living. Because millions of decent
people have been forced into the
boat with him, the habitual beggar
acquires a new sense Of virtue, even
though he Is essentially unchanged.
In the best Of times we have al
ways had a relief list. The records
in this county show that some indi-
viduals are perpetually upon 1t. They
find their lot improved now because
a turn of fate's wheel puts them in
good company.
In normal times, for an individual
to be ION the county is generally
considered a disgrace, but even there
we find exceptions. Many individu-
ais who are regarded as well fixed
would find themselves face to face
with the wolf II only a short success
sion Of misfortunes beset them. And
SO, where breadwinners become i'll or
other unavoidable circumstances
arise, some very excellent people may
find themselves ION the county" in
even the best OF times.
It is clear, therefore, that to be
receiving relief does not necessarily
carry with it any social stigma.
Neither need it imply general incom-
potency, lack Of brains or un-Ameri-
can principles.
1t Is just as obvious, however, that
many on the relief list feel that they
have been degraded, carrying with
them their former attitude toward
people ION relief" and applying it
to themselves. This may be good
thing, for this spirit will intensity
their efforts to shift for themselves,
but 1t has its disadvantages also.
Competent observers say that the
long relief lists Of the present con-
stitute the greatest single menace OF
the depression, not because of the
money it costs the federal treasury
but because Of the effect which con-
ditions are exerting upon the mental
outlook Of many people.
Many capable men have acquired
an inferiority complex as tho result
OF merciless buffeting. Their I'm.
happy experiences have Slapped theil
initiative and weakened their cour.
age. For these reasons they may
have trouble regaining their former
places in society.
Others. we are told, may find Il
rather pleasant on the relief lists. Il
is hard to imagine, but some indi.
viduals who should know assert It Il
fact. They explain that some per
sons habitually live in misery ane
sQualor and the standard provided
By tho relief set-up, meager As 1t Is
is better than they are accustomed Il
in normal times. This may be true
but II SO 1t constitutes an indictment
and q sad commentary both upo,
such individuals and our entire sys
tenn Of society.
The very fact that We have unem
ployed councils here and elsewher,
hints that members Of such organi
cations are tending to set themselve
off from the rest Of the world t.
regard themselves as . class apart