The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-02-22
TONNAGE TAXPASSED
Important Measure Carries in the
House by Vote of SO to 81
After a Hot Fight.
Woman Suffrage Amendment Also
Passes HOuse-Freak Potato
Bill Goes Through.
st, Paul, Feb. Fl, 1917.

a vote of SO to 81. A motion to re-
consider was voted down by vote Of
70 to 60. So as far as the house is
concerned the matter is cinched. The
measure; cannot be recalled or recon-
sidered.
X X X
Henry o. Bjorge of Becker county
started the ball rolling by an exceed
ingly able and logical argument in
favor of the bill. He was followed by
Hiding A. Swanson Of Brainerd, who
made rather a weak argument against
the bill. Charles H. Warner of Aitkin
followed Swanson and delivered a
telling speech for the bill. Mr.. War
ner had his subject we'll in hand and
his talk was very effective. He was
attentively listened to, he made HIM
self heard in every nook and corner Of
the house chamber and his remarks
were vigorously applauded.
* *, X
Tom Davis, the brilliant Marshall
attorney, made an impassioned plea in
behalf of the bill which was well re-
ceived. Henry Holmes of Big Lake
also spoke briefly but earnestly for
the bill, but the other member from the
55th district, Anton Peterson, Of Mora,
was with the ants. and read type
written speech against the bill. am
inclined to think Mr.. Holmes and not
Mr.. Peterson voiced the sentiments OF
an overwhelming majority Of the vot-
ers of the 55th district.
* * X
By far the most efficient talk against
the bill was made by Charles 7. Muir
ply of Aurora, St. Louis county. Muir
ply is a bright young attorney and is
extremely popular with his fellow
members. A dozen others spoke for
and against the measure .ss..-s-
* * * X X
Just as I intimated a few weeks ago,
the fight on the tonnage tax bill dem
onstrated that the house organization
and the leading "drys" had joined
drives with the steel trust and the
iron crowd and the Minneapolis cham
Der of commerce, and strange to re-
late some of the prominent "wets''
also lined up with the same bunch. 1t
was hard and well-fought battle, and
4 the authors Of the bill-Messrs
jorge, Warner, Davis and Bendixen
ARE entitled to great credit for the
game and winning fight they conduct
Quoted.
X X *
What will the senate do with the
bill? I cannot say. Many Of the sena-
tors were in hopes that the bill would
not reach them-that it would be
killed in the house-and several of
them lobbied hard against the bill in
the house. That the vote in the senate
will be close is my guess, but I am
of the opinion the bill will pass, al
though do not think there will be any
votes to spare. If the bill reaches the
governor he will not veto it.
* * *
Last week I said the prohibition
amendment would pass the senate
slightly amended so as to give the
wholesale and retail liquor dealers
and the brewers further time to close
out their business if the amendment
should be adopted by the voters al
the next general election. Subsequent
events have proved that my diagnosis
was correct. 1t was sort Of a com.
promise and all but the senators from
strongly ''wet" districts voted for the
measure. The question is now up tt
the voters.
* * *
That freak potato bill, which was
published in the Union last week
passed the house on Tuesday. It went
through by default. One or two mem
bers who would have opposed it were
absent from the chamber when the
bill was voted on. am in hopes thai
we can take care of it in the senate
Such bill is certainly not in the in.
terests Of the potato raisers.
* * X
IF bill now in course of prepare.
ton goes through there will be some
important changes in the Dunn roac
law. Among other things the bill will
arovide for one commissioner Of high.
\ Us to be on the job all the time
AZ 4 aim is to secure the services of q
B I'd, wide-awake business man al
3, es head Of this important state de.
! partment In some sections of the
state there is demand for the restor-
alton Of the old labor system in towns