Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-03-01
Pioneer Special Service by Western Newspaper Union
Freight Rate Bill

Freight Rate Bill
Probably the hardest fought bill
lately was the distance tariff bill
basing freight ratess upon distance
and wiping out the special rates Civ
en- certain points In the state. This
is almost an exact reproduction Of
the eastman bill whica has been in
operation in Minnesota for several
years and proven quite satisfactory
to both the public and the railroads.
This bill has passed the house and
has been messaged to the senate for
consideration.
Bone Dry Bill
The bone dry bill has attracted
considerable attention for some time
In the senate, and a strong lobby
OF women has been present At the
capitol in the interest of the meas
ure. The bill finally came up in the
senate for passage. There was some
sparrtng but it passed with con-
siderable leaway and has gone over
TO the house. Just what action the
house will take in the matter is a
subject of conjecture. There is a
strong force in the house against the
bill and still heavy pressure is be-
ing laid on all parties in order to
assure Its passage. II this bill goes
through 1t Is sure to be signed by
the governor. and tlat means there
will not be drink Of intoxicating
liquor allowed in the state, not even
Tor private purposes.
Sane Sunday Law Enacted
A sigh of relief, as we'll "a a vote
OF thanks, went up from many
OF the people If this state when both
houses passed the bill raising the
Sunday lid enough to allow the sale
OF newspapers, cigars, ETC., on the
SABBATH day. The pressure was so
fierce in the capital city that the
necessity of this was seen by all.
The bill went through and was i'm
medtately signed by the governor.
IL bore the emergency clauEe, hence
became a law instantly. The sign
ing OF the bill by the governor was
one OF his last acts in the week
(Saturday), and the word was fash
cd out over the state hurried!y. The
next day the papers, cigars and CANDY
were appreciated throughout the
state as they never were before.
Tax Legislation
Tax legislation has come in for
its share of attention this session,
The tax committee Of the senate has
formulated large number of bills
proposing new laws, and the senate
has passed bills upon money and
credits, surtax upon wild lands held
lor speculation, mortgage registra-
ton. gross earnings, upon private
car lines, new Inheritance taxes, an
nual conference of tax officials,
abatement of taxes, and classified
ton of property for assessment and
assessment Of Improvements and
structures on the farm land at S
percent of their value. The tax COM
mittee Of this session will probab bly,
have more constructive tax legisla-
ton to its credit than that commit
tee of any other session.
Land Contract Bill Killed
Representative Everson's bill re-
latfng to contracts for the sale of
land was killed in the house. This
bill, as originally introduced. provid-
ed that contracts must be filed with
the register of deeds but amend
ments offered by the judiciary COM
mittee contemplated only that in
making a contract with real estate
dealer for the sale of land, such con-
tract must be in writing to have
any standing in court. Representa-
tive Tenneson, supporting the bill
as amended, declared that an oral
| contract between farmers and land
agents caused tremendous amount
of litigation. and that the bill in
| question would open the way to
| avoiding of such trouble. However,
| the bill got in the way of the ak, and
that settled it.
A joint house and senate commit
tee constructed bill providing for
| civil service for state and county Of
fees. and Senator King of Burleigll
county stood sponsor for 1t. But for
some reason the senate did not take
kindly to 1t, and it was killed with
out ceremony. Such laws are in force
in many states and cities over the
United States, and the idea has been
"a popular one in this state for some
time, but it looks like the time for
it's acceptance in this state is not
ripe.
After Packarl's Scalp
Senate Bill No. 100 is designed ia
get the scalp of Chairman Packard
of the Tax Commission. It provides
for a one-man tax commission, with
the governor and tie attorney gen
eral as ex-officio members. The bill
passed the senate by vote Of 29
to Is, but the emergency clause fail.
cd by reason Of not receiving the
two-thirds vote necessary. The bill
however. is sure of radical opposI.
ton in the house, and the opponent.
say they have enough to defeat 1t.
Trading Stamp Bill Passed House
Representative Coles trading
stamp bill passed the house. but moi
till after some scrambling in parlia
mentary law. A strong effort wal
made to amend it by striking out tn.
provisions affecting coupons, certifi
Gates, etc. The house majority woult
not listen to the proposed amend
ments, and the bill went through Al
originally drawn.
The 'full crew" bill. that is tn,
| hs1I ronuirir0 that fraina ~ mnrl