The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-03-23

Nearly Two Thousand Bills Introduced
In Both Houses At This Session;
Tonnage Tax Measure Defeated in
Senate After Being FavorahIy Re.
cejsed in Lower Body; Much Work
Yet to Be Done BY Gopher State
Lawmakers
n. M. GREEN.

troduced in the house 1148 bills and
in the senate S24. Of all these bills
but few provide for new laws. This
is one of the noticeable features of
this session, but nearly all are bills
amending old laws or in some way
curing some act or correcting some
ones mistakes. Last week was short
one on account of town meeting day
which attracted many members home,
but, from Wednesday on it was full of
exciting discussionsrin both the house
and senate on resolutions and bills
Flood water control on Wednesday
evening at public hearing was full
of interesting facts and figures
brought in by large delegation from
the Mississippi and Minnesota river
valley who came in, some to defeat
the bill and others to uphold. it. Many
amendments were offered which are
being considered and the bill is still
in the hands of the men who are try
ing to correct its, Objectionable fea-
lures. 1t is proposed now to drain all
the territory of the Red river north,
which is north of the divide and all
the waters south of the divide south
into the Minnesota river and all the
territory along the rivers within the
watershed in the three states to form
one drainage system. There is another
drainage bill drafted to cover the 9TH
er territory of Minnesota outside of
the flood water district, but no action
has yet been taken on any of these
drainage bills.
A resolution was adopted Wednes-
day for joint session of the house
and senate, March 20, to listen to arg
uments for and against military train
ing in high schools when a govern
ment representative will speak.
The tonnage tax bill came up in
the senate Thursday, occupying the
day. This bill was passed in the house
by vote of SO to 81, but the, senate,
after two extra weeks of bantering,
turned it down by a vote of 40 to ~,
the Blue Earth county member of the
senate voting against the bill. 1t was
shown in the discussions in both
houses of the legislature that millions
of tons of iron ore are mined that is
not taxed under our present system
of taxation.
The Dunn road bill came up on
special orders Friday in the house,
Senator Dunn being one of the speak
ers to explain the bill. Fifteen amend
ments were offered to the bill, many
of which were adopted. The debate
took UP the entire afternoon resulting
in passing the bill by a large majority
which provides for state highway
commissioner who shall have control
of the highway construction of the
state. The foreign committee is still
investigating the grain markets of the
state and some interesting evidence is
being offered.
A public hearing in the old capitol
Friday night on the high cost of living
and to devise ways and means to
work out a. remedy was held. 1t is
proposed to organize the labor unions
of the cities to devise some means
whereby they can receive direct from
the producers their foodstuff in guam
titles which way be done by having
some centralmarket after the plan
now in operation in South Carolina. A
committee was appointed to arrange
for another meeting for next Wednes-
day night at which time a permanent
organization will be formed. 1t was
shown that the farmers are ready to
cooperate in this movement when the
cities are in shape to receive the
goods.
Many bills coming in late in the ses-
sion will not be reached and it should
be borne in mind that bills should be
introduced early in order to avoid the
rush which is always sure to come
near the close of the session. The time
closed Thursday for introducing bills
without two thirds vote of the mem
bers.
The legislature will adjourn April
10 by limitation.