The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-02-24
Hennepin Delegation Vote Sol
idly Against Lumber Bill.
Postpone mentOfiheE educational
Measure in the Senate
Friday Next, Is the Time Fixed
For Its Consideration.

St. Paul, Feb. PA complete re-
vision of the Minnesota laws is pro-
posed in a bill offered Tuesday In the
house by s. d. Peterson of New Ulm
In substance it is the Haugland bili
of four years ago, but has been heavily
added to in respect to bringing fran
chises, public service corporations and
incomes under the taxing poweryof the
state. =
The new feature is provision call
ing for the creation of new Office to
be known as state tax commissioner
He is to have complete supervision
over the taxing machinery of the state,
to receive complaints, make lnXeStl-
cations and require reforms when 4le
thinks such are necessary. A salary
of SO, 800 is provided also a secretary
who shall be paid $1,000 year, and
any other clerical help which,, in the
Judgment Of the state auditor, is neces-
Bary. This appointment to be made
by the governor. ,s
The Hennepin delegation in the
house voted solidly against" a bill
fathered by Elmer E. Adams, which re-
quires that lumber dealers shall give
full measure.
The bill is designed to correct the
arbitrary custom adopted by dealers of
forcing purchasers to suffer the loss
incurred in saving and planning. Some
allowance for such loss is permitted
4 I, efo 10 J
urement as fixed by the lumbermen's
association is materially reduced.
The Hennepin delegation claimed
that it would work hardship to the
Hennepin mills, and at the same time
react on the purchaser, who would
have to pay more for his lumber, bit
the balance of the house could not see
1t in that light.
1t was agreed that purchasers of
lumber should have the measurements,
they paid for, and progress was accord
ingly reported on the Admans bill.
Two Reform Measures.
r. L. Ware of Mortified introduced
two reform bills, one substitute for
his 21s-cent minimum passenger fare
bill, and the other making. the accept
ance of passes and other gratituties
ample excuse for the removal of the
offending member from Office ara.
Under the terms of Mr.. Wares bill
all persons occupying public Offices,
whether elective or appointive,i are
prohibited from soliciting or receiving
passes, reductions in prices or favors
of any kind from any railroad, tele-
phone, telegraph or other corporation
or individuals.
In fixing 21a cents as. the minimum
figure for passenger fares, Mr.. Ware.
has eliminated some of the objection
able features found in his first bill
Excursion rates are still allowed and
compulsory provision is made for the
issuance and sale by all roads of in
Interchangeable mileage books at
maximum of 2 cents mile. -.
Foreign insurance companies, if
they want to do business in Minneso-
ia, must agree to accept the insurance
commission as a custodian of all com
plants against them and not to use the
United States courts as a tribunal of
first resort, under the terms of bill
introduced by M. L. Fosseen of Henne-
pin county.
H. B. Chamberlin of Minneapolis
would have all medical compounds
containing opiates plainly market A
bill to that end was introduced by him.
John F. Selb offered bill, fathered
by the labor interests of the state. reg
ulating the payment of wages to min
ors and prohibiting the retention of
any part by the employer.