Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-01-19
eOLONS MAY WIPE OFF STATUTE
BONDS OF PRESIDENTIAL PREF
ERENcE PRIMARY ACT As
REFORM MEASURE.
MAJORITY OF LAWMAKERS
SEEM TO FAVOR CHANGE
Votes for Women at Presidential Eleo-
tions and Legislative Investigation
Of State University Are Sought
In Bills MISUNDERSTANDING
IL Law Repeal Asked.

IL Law Repeal Asked.
st. Paul, Jan. 18.-As the first stop
In reforming Minnesota's election laws
legislators are determined either to
repeal or amend the socalled presiden.
tial preference primary act.
Indications are that a majority OF
the lawmakers are willing to wipe the
statute off the books.
The amendments of the primary
election laws providing for q return
10 modified convention system and
placing the legislature and county Of
fees back on partisan basis, are tho
subjects Of many informal confer
onces.
Unanimous for Change.
While there is a unanimity Of opin:
ion on the necessity for changing the
presidential preference primary, there
is an evident fear on the part Of some
senators and representatives to COM
NIT themselves on the changes in the
regular primary.
oaCNoO 0y "O"SSss
st. Paul, Jan. 1S.-Three interest
ing measures have just been intro
duced Sin the Minnesota legislature.
They are:
A bill providing that women may
vote for president and vice president;
introduced in the Senate.
A bill to repeal the boxing law: in.
troduced in the Senate.
A resolution providing for legisla-
tive investigation Of the affairs of the
University of Minnesota; introduced
In the House.
The bill which would permit women
to vote for president and vice presi-
dent was presented by Senators Frank
e. Putnam of Blue Earth and Ole A.
sageng Of Dalton.
The measure has the backing Of the
Minnesota State Woman Suffrage asso-
citation and smaller organizations. It's
Introduction has marked the suspen-
sion, at least for a time, of the pro.
tracted fight to obtain passage of
constitutional amendment granting
women tull Suffrage.
Referred to Committee.
Under the provisions of the bill wom-
On would be enfranchised by statutory
enactment. It Is asserted this can
be granted without constitutional
amendment, as in Illinois, and it may
operate as an entering wedge to ulti.
mate full suffrage. in the opinion Of
suffrage leaders.
The bill was referred to the commit
lee on elections.
The first definite step in the move.
ment to repeal the Minnesota boxing
law, enacted by the 1915 session, was
taken when Senator Sageng presented
his repeal bill without comment. Il
was referred to the committee on gen.
oral legislation.
For University Probe.
The resolution calling for investiga-
ton Of the affairs of the University
Of Minnesota was introduced by for.
mer Speaker H. H. Flowers, Pascal
H. Frye and Albert G. Pratt.
A House committee of five members,
to be appointed by the speaker, would
be empowered to subpoena witnesses,
compel examination Of books and rec
ords, and would submit it's findings to
the House, so that body could take
such action thereon as it would deem
advisable"
Notice Of debate was given and the
resolution was laid on the table.
In Friendly Spirit.
'"The resolution" said Representa-
tive Frye, was introduced without
malice and in the most friendly spirit.
The public demands more complete
knowledge of affairs Of this state in
stitution and in justice to this demand
Ill facts desired should be made avail
able. If the university, or any of its
departments, are poorly managed and
lie financial expenditures are too great
the tax payers Of the state should be
supplied with this information and
such action as will improve conditions
taken by the legislature.
ION the other hand, IL the institu.
lion IL being operated on q business
Nike basis and also on an economical
basis. those who are managing the az
fairs Of the university should be given
eull credit and criticisms which are
beard at every session OF the legisla'
lure should be curbed."
Calls !. w. w. society Of Criminals"
! Sydney, N. 8. W., Jan. 1S.-Twelva
members Of the Industrial Workers OF
the World, including John King Of
Canada, have been convicted of char
Ees Of conspiracy to spread sadition
md sentenced to penitentiary terms
panoinu from to Is years Iudgl