The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-04-05

STANDS mlgnCy Snall SNOW Oh passing
at this late day in the session. The
main opposition to such a bill comes
from the Minneapolis automobile club
and affiliated clubs throughout the
state. It does seem as if the owners
of automobiles should be willing to pay
five dollars per year towards the main
tenance Of good roads throughout the
state. Up to the present time the Ii
cense fee for automobiles has been one
dollar and fifty cents for the tri-ennial
period (three years.. Two years ago
law was enacted making the fee
five dollars for the three year period,
but that law will not take effect until
January 1st next. I had thought that
there would be little trouble in putting
through bill fixing the license fee
at five dollars per year. An annual
five dollar license fee would add a re-
spectacle sum to the state road and
bridge fund, and every owner of an
automobile would save the amount of
the license fee in gasoline alone ten
times over during the year.
* X x
Yesterday patriotic resolution Of
fered by Senator George H. Sullivan
indorsing the stand that the president
took in his message to congress was
adopted by q rising vote Of the senate.
It was unanimous. Senator Nord
called for three cheers for the flag
which were given most enthusiastical-
ly. If the senate is representative Of
the people Of the state, Minnesota is
certainly behind the president and con-
gress.
* * y Il
On Tuesday evening Senator George
H. Sullivan appeared before the
finance committee of the senate and
made an elaborate argument in behalf
of senate file 1006-a billwhich creates
a commission of seven members, con-
sisting. Of the governor, attorney gen.
eral and five citizens of the state, to
be known as the Public Safety
Commission. The commission is given
very large powers, and it is made it's
duty to pay to the members Of the
National Guard of the State of Min
nesota, who enlisted in the service Of
the United States at anytime within
the past year, such compensation as
in the judgement of the commission
the boys are entitled to. The bill car
ries an appropriation of one million
dollars-it is a sort of war measure.
While the terms of the bill may be
somewhat modified, it will certainly
pass both branches of the legislature
and become a law.
* X X
Two of the efficiency and economy
measures-the bill providing for a
state board of health and abolishing
the advisory commission, and the bill
creating a department of education
under state board of education, and
abolishing the office of superintendent
of education and certain other offices
and boards were a special order in
the senate and were passed. The spe-
cial order was continued until today,
and as I write the bill divorcing the
grain inspection department from the
board of railroad and warehouse COM
missioners, is being considered. The
bill is strenuously opposed by the
friends of the railroad and warehouse
commission and it may fail to pass.
X * x
AS was expected, Charles M. Bah
cock of Elk River, has been appointed
Commissioner Of Highways for the
term of six years, commencing March
30. The senate unanimously confirmed
Mr.. Babcock's appointment Of Satur-
day. NIB has qualified and entered
upon the duties of his office. He will
devote his entire time to the work,
and predict that he will make a
record that his friends will feel proud
Of, and that will reflect credit upon
himself. Without doubt he is the best
qualified man in the state for the posi-
ton. He has served on the highway
commission for eight years and is
thoroughly conversant with the affairs
Of the office
* * *
Strange to relate the main opposi-
ton to Mr.. Babcock's appointment
came from a prominent man in his
home town. Certain bridge contrac-
tors also attempted to influence the
governor against Mr.. Babcock. But
dozens of Senators and Representa-
tives urged his appointment, and the
governor was flooded with letters and
kilograms in his behalf from all over.
the state, more especially from Elk
River, St. Cloud and the adjoining
towns. AS matter of fact Governor
Burnquist never seriously considered