The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-01
Sinclair's Record

Sinclair'S Record
Since Congressman ]. H. Sinclair
is running for reelection as an in
dependent strictly upon his record in
office, 1t is only fair to examine that
record and see what 1t is.
TO begin with, Sinclair has served
in congress since 1919 and was lead
er In the fight to stabilize agricul-
ture. When he introduced bill for
that purpose in 1920 he was laughed
at, but he persisted in his efforts and
was one of the prime factors in Sc
curing passage of the McNary- Haul
gen bill, subsequently vetoed by Pres
idents Coolidge and Hoover.
He was a co-author with Senator
George w. Norris Of an export mar
keting corporation bill, q fore-run-
ner OF the McNary- Haugen measure.
and was one OF the authors of the
present federal marketing act.
When drouth and the low-price
disaster struck North Dakota, he in
troduced the seed and feed loan bills
and obtained their passage. Along
with Senator Frazier he now has a
bill before congress to refinance farm
ers at lower rates of interest. Sin
clair also helped to pass the law au-
thorizing the Red Cross to distribute
surplus wheat.
As a representative Of the old third
district he obtained passage Of the
law establishing the federal dairy
experiment station at Mandan and
authorizing construction Of bridges at
sanish, Williston, Elbowoods and
Garrison.
BY sponsoring and fighting through
q law permitting Fort Berthold In
dams to file q suit In the Court of
Claims for money due them from the
government, he brought 100000 In
to western North Dakota.
Active in flood control and water
conservation work, he obtained inclu-
sion in the flood control act of 1928
Of a provision for surveys on the Mis-
souri, river with q view to construct
ing reservoirs at q later date. He
also obtained an appropriation for q
Mouse river flood control survey.
Extensions Of time granted federal
farm loan borrowers also are partly
due to Sinclair, and every bill for
the benefit OF veterans enacted by
congress has had his support.
Establishment Of new mail routes,
along with extensions and increases
in service. have been won by Sinclair
for farmers In many sections. Leg
islation favorable to good roads, de-
velopment Of Muscle Shoals and rail-
road labor also have been supported
by him.
All Of these things are favorable
items In the Sinclair record but they
do not comprise his chief distinction.
That Is due to his record Of unfail-
ing service to constituents on special
occasion. In such matters as disputes
over mail routes, delays in veterans
benefits, the obtaining Of informa-
ton and other personal requests, SIN
clairs record is the best ever made by
a North Dakotan. No constituent
was too lowly to get his congress-
mans personal attention. This ac-
counts for the tremendous number of
warm personal friends who now seek
his reelection as an independent
candidate.
One case serves to illustrate the
point. The widow Of q war veteran,
with five children to support. was
clearly entitled to a pension but there
was delay In getting it. Finally Sin
clair was asked to help. Through
his influence the matter was speeded
up. In 10 days she got her first
check. He didn't personally know
any Of the persons involved but q
trip to the veterans bureau was made
by him in behalf Of that widow Just
the same.
Among the things Sinclair has op-
posed are the Esch- Cummins railroad
bill, which would have increased
freight rates on farm products; big
expenditures for military purposes:
branch banking. which would have
eliminated country banks; amend
meuts to the federal farm loan act
which would have taken control out
Of the hands Of farmers and placed
It with central farm loan board; q
federal sales tax, and the national
origins clause In the immigration
laws which Disseminated against the
German and scandinavian races.
Legislation which he now favor,
and supports includes payment o.
veterans concentration 1.v q ra,v,,encv