The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-07-21
The Bitter Truth

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The Bitter Truth
In an interview at st. Paul Friday,
T. J. Edmunds, In charge Of federal
relief work in seven northwest states,
commented that North Dakota rs
more of federal dependency than =
state" and that most of the persons
who gave him a cool reception here
Thursday afternoon were not even
relief clients"
The two remarks may be unwel-
come but they are the bitter truth.
II they will help US to face the reali-
ties we should be grateful to Mr.. Ed
munds for making them.
How true 1t Is that North Dakota
has become federal dependency Is
illustrated by the fact that In Bur-
leigh county alone we had 1872 FAINT
lies and 100 single persons on the re-
lief list for the month Of June.
In 1880 Burleigh county had popu-
lation of 1879. It has changed little
since. On the basis of five persons
per family-and those on relief prob
ably average more-this means that
$3.50 persons are being cared for by
the federal government. This is just
slightly less than 20 per cent Of the
entire population. Whether or not
North Dakota is a federal depend
ency, as Edmunds suggests, that
number Of persons In our own local
ity certainly are federal dependents.
The questions Of why or whether they
are getting sufficient relief does not
affect their status. It proves that
we face condition, not . theory.
The fact that . large number Of
those who are demanding more ex-
tensive federal aid are not them
selves on the relief rolls can be
proved by look at the leadership Of
the group which has led the relief
agitation In Bismarck during the last
week.
J. H. Miller. leader OF the group
Is q so-called natural" doctor, who
takes time off from his normal occu-
patton to indulge his bent for politi-
cal activity. He is not on the relief
lists, yet he assumes to speak for
those on the relief rolls.
This fact accounts for the strange
indifference to the facts in the case
displayed by these so-called relief
leaders. They have proved by their
actions that they are insensible to
the sufferings Of their fellow human
beings because, by their actions. they
have operated to make the lot OF per-
sons on the relief list worse rather
than better.
They would have the persons In
Burleigh county who are living on
federal bounty attempt to intimidate
the government by insistence upon
demands such as those which recent
~ have been voiced here.
II they are met it gives them op-
portunity to point to their achieve
ment and launch . new campaign for
more. II they are not met, it per.
mits them to continue their agita-
ton.
No one can be insensible to the
fact that families and individuals ON
the relief list are undergoing real
hardship. The amount allotted Is
admittedly too small for comfortable
living. No one can deny that. But,
whatever it Il. 1t Is 100 per cent more
than the state Is paying despite the
enthusiasts shouts for william
LANCER, voiced Ut the meeting here
Thursday. It Is 100 per cent more
than anyone has received q q result
Of hangers activities, for the truth Is
that relief came Into the state in spite
Of LANCER rather than because Of
him.
Two things are suggested by recent
developments. Ono Is that families
on the relief List take steps to quell
the asitators lest their activities re-
suit IN reducing tho relief now being
given. This Is distinctly possible.
The second i that the relief ad-
ministration might properly refuse
to deal with any so-called ''represen-
tatives" and unofficial organizations
Of parsons not on the relief Lists.
The vast majority o. people On the
relief list want to do the right thing.
They would b better of II they ne
1ase 70 Listen to leaders such 9 those
which have assumed 70 represent
them.
Political Strategy
one e To current efforts Of the
Fsact,onasy wing q IL Republican,
paEev = 6asignsd 70 aocspt tn aeti-
otlltaraI proo1am q tn Roosevelt
A6nlnistsatioa but u eontend thAt
~ prsssnt group = oefioehoIdsrs 81