New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-03-07
ECONOMY OPPOSED
BY PLUM HOLDERS
IMPORTANT MEASURES FACE
DEFEAT AT HANDS OF THE
-
LEGISLATURE.
SMALLER REFORMS LIKELY TO
SQUEEZE PAST THE LAW
. MAKERS.

Members of the Minnesota legislature
are, side-stepping on the long heralded
ECONOMY measures, first conceived
during the administration of former
Governor Eberhart, and recommended
by commission appointed by him.
Two years ago the lawmakers discussed
the proposed legislation, rolling the words
deficiency and economy on their
tongues until the session had ended with
nothing being done. They talked it to
death. When the present session opened
two months ago, the commission pre-
sented ten bills to be voted on, and it
looked as though they would become laws
without much delay, and with but little
trouble.
Opposition Not in Open.
But, according to word drifting in
from the state capitol, there is but little
chance that more than one or two of
them will ever see the light of day.
Several committee meetings have been
held. and those for and against the
@measures have been heard, although but
fesY have appeared in the open against
them. However, there is plenty of
opposition, and it is being worked in a
manner that is said to be much more
effective than if it were open and above
board.
Some of the bills are bound to pass.
The bill providing for the submission of
a constitutional amendment to cut down
the size of the Legislature to so senators
and 100 representatives will likely pass,
say those close to the situation. The
Senate has already voiced it's approval
Of it. The House has not yet considered
it. y -, =. = ~s>z,..,,.s :
The bill creating a state board of in
vestment to consist of three members
appointed by the governor, bids fair to
meet with the approval of the Legis-
lature. Some of the smaller bills, the
one establishing purchasing department
in the board of control, for instance, may
'get by"
Big Bill in Danger.
When it comes to the big bills--the
olS creating department of public
Jcmain, revising the educational depart
ments and the health boards-a big
question arises. 49,. H.
. Recently opposition to the health bill
has come out into the open. At hear
ings held in the past week representa-
tiyes of various organizations presented
objections. Members of the state health
board are opposed to certain features OF
the bill which consolidates all of the
health activities of the state. ~'s
The bill creating department OF
public domain and establishing certain
bureaus to take the work of the forestry
board, the game and fish commissioner,
the drainage commission, the immigra-
ton board and activities, will meet with
the most active opposition, say legislators.
The objections to this bill are many.
Many of these objections come; of course,
from department heads. Some believe
that their departments should be ex-
empted; others object to being coupled
with certain other departments; still
sshers desire that advisory boards be
continued in order to prevent the public
domain department from becoming a
political machine. e.
The authors of the bill insist that the
measure, as now framed, will be big
step in advance in the reorganization OF
state departments in the interests OF
efficiency and economy.
Inspection Bill in Danger.
The bill divorcing the state grain in
spection department from the Railroad
and Warehouse commission is doomed to
defeat, according to general belief. The
Railroad and Warehouse commissioners
gre opposed to it, naturally. The farmer
members of the Legislature are divided
Some believe the present arrangement is
better than the proposed plan, which
would put the department under the
control of the Governor. Others are
after the grain inspection department az
now constituted and are willing to make
anv sort of change just so it is change
5gThe educational boards want to re
main just as they are. Friends of the
present department officials have beer
<'sv working against the bill, legislator:
fieke. It is understood that c. G
.Ehultz, state superintendent of. schools
6 has been opposing the measure. TIL,
State Normal school board wants to b,