The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-03
ONE MANS STORY
Bismarck, N. D.,
Oct. ~. 1894.

ONE MANS STORY
Bismarck, N. D.,
Oct. ~, 1894.
Editor, Tribune:
As we sat beside our radio listening
in on the Farmers Union convention
held recently at jamestown, as We
heard Its national president, Mr.
Everson, in q TRADE Of abuse and
censure heaped against the present
administration in Washington, and q
We pictured In our minds eye the
hundreds Of farmers gathered to-
gether, as we heard the rounds Of ap-
plause given the speaker. somehow,
We could not help asking ourselves
why 1t is these things must be. And
then we looked back to only few
months past, as conditions were then.
and we wondered still more.
AS we thought over all these things
We could not help asking ourselves
just what the New Deal has meant
to US as q farmer and what It has
meant to us as q citizen Of the state
Of North Dakota. We do not feel that
we have been unduly favored by the
Roosevelt administration. We know
dozens Of farmers who have received
far more than we, yet 1t would be Inn
possible to measure In mere dollars
and cents the things that have come
to US through the New Deal.
Tn thA fleet yS1oAA hal vaA>k kAAAVa
tor the benefit money received from
our wheat and corn-hog allotments we
would not have received . cent from
our farm this year, for like 80 many
others, our crops were total failure.
And yet, because Of this money We
will be able to provide for our family
and stave Oft our most pressing debts.
It means the difference between want
and comfort to our family.
A few weeks ago we were wondering
what we should do with our poor,
starving cattle. Then the government
stepped in and took them of our
hands at . price higher than Ne
should have received from regular
market channels. This alone has
meant more than I can express be-
cause I am sure that had the govern
ment not done this many OF my cattle
as well as countless others would have
died on the farms.
Through the federal farm loan de-
partment, we have been able to make
an advantageous settlement with our
former creditor, and our real estate
debt has been scaled down to figure
that am sure can be paid, once good
crops and normal conditions return.
And, along with this settlement, the
government advanced the money
necessary for the repair and repaint-
ing Of our farm buildings which, be-
cause Of lack Of capital, I had been
forced to let run down. And right
here I want to say that, as one trav-
els over the county and state, one can
not help being impressed by the huge
amount OF repair work being done on
our farms. In q year Of total crop
failure more Improvement work u be-
ing done than for years past-and
practically every cent Of It comes from
the government.
Through government assistance We
have also had our chattel mortgage
largely reduced, something unheard
OF before. Our son Is 4 member Of
one OF our CCC camps. A recent let
ter from him speaks Of the bountiful
food and warm clothing furnished the
boys in camp. He also speaks Of the
good times enjoyed after work hours.
For q few hours service each day, our
boys in CCC camps receive the sum
Of 80 per month-all but five dollars
going to their parents to help tide them
over an evil hour.
My son Is only one Of the boys from
this district in camp. These boys had
found work impossible to get. Because
Of the total crop failure their parents
were unable to provide for them. They
were beginning to lose hope and cour-
age when the government stepped in
and made these CCC camps possible
Not only are our boys being taken care
Of In every possible manner, they are
doing useful work and learning to be
self-reliant, responsible citizens. And
this not only applies to our farm boys
but to boys everywhere who had drift
ed to the cities, homeless Migrants a.
q direct result Of the depression. II
the government did nothing else, IT
making these CCC camps possible
would deserve the marked apprecia-
ton Of every citizen In the country.
These are some Of the things the
New Deal has done for us as . farmer
But 1t has done far more than this foz
US as Q citizen Of the state and coun-
try. It has taken little children out
Of the mills and factories and given
them . chance to live the lives Of nor
NAL children. It's various codes under
the NRA guarantee every individual
worker fair working hours and wages
It has clrbed the greed Of the profit
eer and the Spectator. It has guar
anteed the people against being held
up for the things they must buy In
order to live.
Through It's various work projects 1t
has put men TO profitable enterprise
who otherwise would be unemployed
It has given them q sense Of security
and independence which could never
have come through . dole system
whereby no return Is made for the
money received.
The government has advanced the
necessary funds to keep our schools
open in order that our children may
receive an education. It Is paying
our teachers . living wage when
otherwise they would remain unpaid.
Yes, the government has done al
this and more for the citisens Of this
country. But. like ell things, 1t can
not accomplish overnight what must
be years in the making. The oak does
not spring overnight from the tiny
acorn. Even the tiniest blossom must