The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-19

| farmer members generally, and after
stormy sessions the committee decided
to submit no report. The house passed
bill for an interim commission to in
vestigate grain exchanges and market
ing conditions. but the measure was
killed by senate committee.
For nearly a month the house labor
committee. amid scenes Of great dis
order, investigated industrial condi-
tons in northern Minnesota in con-
nection with a bill appropriating
100000 for use by the governor in
controlling emergency labor outbreaks.
Scores OF Industrial Workers of the
World. mine workers, public officials
and labor leaders testified. The ccm-
mittee's' conduct OF the hearings was
severely criticized by both houses and
the bill never was reported out.
The session was productive Of prac-
tica1ly no labor legislation. A state
insurance plan SIS substitute for the
workmen's compensation law, was re-
1ected, as were bills providing an
eight-hour work day for state en-
ployes, and an eight-hour day for
practically all classes of labor. The
house killed a measure authorizing the
use OF state prisoners in good roads
work.
Despite strong sentiment in favor of
SAoAA6CS 4h TIC ClCClLOn laws
the only new legislation repealed the
presidential preference primary. An
absent voters law also was passed.
The sharpest fight was for the bill
providing a modified convention sys-
tenn, delegates to be chosen at prim-
aries. The house defeated it. A to "a.
A bill restoring the convention plan
for minority nominations also was
killed. In the senate. the party nomina-
tons bill and the bill for return to
the partisan system Of electing legis-
lators, were defeated by substantial
majorities.
Pairs OF the program adopted by
the commission appointed by the last
legislature for investigation of state
departments with view to reorgani-
Zation along lines of efficiency and
economy, will be carried out. The bill
creating a department of public do
main was lost. One enactment abol-
ishes the printing commission and
gives its power to the board Of con-
troll. The board was made purchasing
agent Of all state departments by an
other bill. Still another new law reor-
ganizes the state board of health.
Several child welfare bills, which
would make Minnesota laws conform
to those Of various other states, were
passed, as was a bill requiring the
teaching of patriotism in the public
schools.
The state is authorized to contract
for removal Of iron ore from under
lake beds. by another new law.
Changes in the road laws provide
that:
Counties may use state and road
money to keep roads open in winter.
Village streets may be made a part
Of state highways and improved at
county and state expense, with con-
sent Of village councils.
Counties may increase the bridge
and road tax levy to s mills on the
dollar of assessed valuation. (The
maximum now is mills. The increase
Is to allow counties wishing to take
advantage of federal aid to do so
without issuing bonds.)
The highway commissioner, auditor
and treasurer, are to distribute the
one mill road tax on the same basis
as at present.
Maintenance expenses of the high
way department are to be paid out Of
the one-mill road tax fund, by the
auditor, treasurer and commissioner
instead Of out of the general revenue
fund by the legislature.
Maintenance expenses Of the high
way department must not exceed 10
per cent Of the fund it disburses.
Thirty per cent, instead of twenty
per cent Of state aid must be used for
maintenance Of highways By the vari-
Gus counties.
On approval Of a majority of the
voters OF township, the road and
bridge tax may be paid in labor.
Counties may buy or condemn up to
twenty acres, instead OF one acre, for
a gravel pit.