The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-18
Back in the Union

Back in the Union
North Dakota definitely returned
to the Union Monday and all right
thinking citizens should rejoice at
the fact.
For some time now, what with at
tempts to sever her economic rela-
tions with her sister states, there has
been some doubt as to her status in
this commonwealth Of states, but all
Of that was removed by the decision
Of the federal court at Fargo that
we still are . part Of the country
and that economic secession Is as In
defensible as political secession. We
have talked Of both within the year.
to be sure. but only economic sever
ance has been actually tried.
The decision Of the federal court
was . foregone conclusion, as was
readily realized by the very legisla-
ture which enacted the so-called en-
barge bill. No one with . concep-
ton Of the privileges and obligations
involved in membership in the fed
eral Union ever had doubt on that
score.
From the standpoint Of national
welfare the wheat and beef embar-
goes were indefensible. From . purely
state standpoint they were futile and
ineffective. gestures INDUCED in by
the legislature in what seems an
effort to deceive the people and by
the executive as q means Of obtaining
publicity and promoting q ballyhoo
campaign.
How futile the embargoes were In
raising prices is fully demonstrated
by the action Of the markets during
the period they were In effect. Cat
tie prices have shown no material
increase during the period from De-
cember 6. when the embargo went
into effect, despite the prospective
efforts of the federal government to
improve them. Wheat prices ebbed
and flowed just the same after the
embargo on grain was declared as
was the case before the governors
proclamation. The only noticeable
effect was in the price Of cash grain
and North Dakotans were barred
from receiving any benefit from the
occasional premiums which were paid
for certain kinds Of wheat when
scarcities developed. It was clear
from the beginning that, II any i'm
provement In prices developed - .
result Of the embargo, North Dako-
tans would be barred from taking
advantage Of 1t. This proved to be
the case in practice. as Is clear to
anyone taking the trouble to follow
the course Of the grain markets.
There will be no quarrel by the
right thinking people Of this state
with the decision of the federal court,
for most Of US believe In this nation
and have no desire to seceds from It.
economically or otherwise.
The thousands on the CWA rolls
and other thousands who have felt
the impetus Of federal recovery meas
ures are grateful that we are not
permitted to consider ourselves an
economic entity. We are only one Of
ls states and 1t IS quite possible that
the other n could get along without
us, but we would have . difficult
time il getting along without them.
Had the decision Of the court been
otherwise. 1t is easy to imagine q
condition Of chaos In this country.
Not only would the welfare Of people
in our great cities b imported. rs
the court pointed out. but our own
well-being would be seriously sndan-
gered. II We could prohibit exports
from our state, other states could
adopt similar measures. And every
one knows that we import from other
states . far greater variety Of goods
than We export. Almost every rule
works both ways and ~ would b IN
sorry case II the rule We tried to IN
woke were to b used against uA
Effectiveness Of the embargo g .
political gesture remains 70 b seen.
In the coming political campaign IA
E 'ort may Be made to make much
OF 1t.
Those who prefer spectacular ges-
lures to constructive action may b
impressed By II. People who ars
used TO being Owen STONES instead
q nread-and who tlks IT, pFaetios-
may find mssits wtdah 80 hiddsn
% mors praetieal ehGsevsesL
But most q = will y Glad b est
back into ~ union. wfil look 5or.
mas1 70 Tho time when or state gov.
e1nmsnt WIN really Ut n step with
the rest Of tho nation n tho drive
toward prosperity. God knows We
need Il and that actions such - tho
proclamation Of tlaess enbarDoes
have been handicap rather than :
hnan