The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1915-01-01
FOR CONSTRUCTIVE
LEGISLATIVE WORK.
REORGANIZATION OF STATE Gov
EMINENT is GREAT TASK
SET SOLONS.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE WILL BE UP
Temperance Question Leads in Popu-
Tar Interest and Battle Will Gen.
ter on County Option Bill
Vote on Prohibition.

st. Paul.-Reorganizatio OF the
state government is the great task set
for the seth Minnesota legislature,
which meets Jan. 5 for the usual 90
day session. A comprehensive act,
changing the whole scheme of state
departments, has been drafted by the
state efficiency and economy commits
sion and will be offered in both houses
by members of the new legislature
who have Seryerd on the commission.
The commission was named by Gov
ernor A. O. Eberhart without any au-
thority from the 1918 legislature, after
that body had considered plans for
such commission, but deadlCcked in
efforts TO agree upon them.
The commissions plan groups func-
tions of the state into six main depart
ments, with directors appointed by the
governor and forming his cabinet, and
with civil service system for select
Ing minor appointees. Many boards
are wiped out and some new ones
created in an effort to centraliZe re-
sponsibility and simplify state govern
ment. A budget system to aid the
legislature in making appropriations
is also provided. Governor Eberhart
and Governor-elect w. S. Hammond
are both committed to the PLAN and it
will be strongly supported, but it is
predicted that many amendments will
be offered and it's consideration will
last most of the session.
To Vote on Prohibition.
The temperance question leads in
popular interest and the battle will
center on the county option bill. The
Anti-saloon league claims majority
in both houses for the bill and this is
disputed by the opposition. A vote
will also be taken on statewide prohi-
,bition with little chance of success.
Woman suffrage will be up and a ma
iority is claimed by the suffrag ists
this tine for submission of the consti-
tutional amendment. The "roadhouse"
bill, which failed two years ago, will
be taken up again.
Much time will be taken with
amendments to measures passed in
1913. The labor interests will fight to
have more liberal terms put into the
workmen's compensation act Amend
ments to the Dunn road law will be
considered and repeal of the Elwell
law will be urged. A fight is also
scheduled on the minimum wage law,
now in the courts. An attempt will be
male to repeal the nonpartizan cleo
ton law. The initiative and referen-
DUN amendment, which failed at the
November election, probably will be
resubmitted.
New Laws on Education.
The battle over public utilities con-
troll. which helped to wreck the Eber-
hart administration, will be renewed,
but there is little talk now of state
utilities commission. The prospects
are for passage of legislation similar
to the Minette ard Nolan bills, one
providing state control of telephone
systems, and the other placing public
utility rates in cities under local con.
troll.
A new code of the laws on educa-
ton will come in the report OF the
state educational commission created
by the last legislature.
Legislation providing for a survey
of state lands will be offered, following
passage of the forestry amendment, Sc
it can be determined what lands are
unfit for agriculture and should be re
forestcd. =.
Other measures of Importance tic
come up will be bills for state super
vision Of fire insurance rates, 'blue
sky" legislation, creation of a women's
reformatory and of a hospital fol
criminal insane, provision for the 1915
state census, and county support OF
the insane.