The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-23

from the governors views Of the seed
and feed questions, probably a request
for an appropriation for the North Da-
kota defense council, and possibly sug.
gestions for one or two emergency ap-
preparations, none except those in the
innermost councils of the administra-
ton can predict. .'.'. ~. 80,
Message Unfinished.
At six o'clock last evening the gov
eronr informed the press that his mes
sage had not been completed. His, sec
rotary expressed the hope that it
might be in shape to turn over to the
press at 8 o'clock this morning, but
he was not certain. William Lemke,
Of Fargo, Howard Who'd, speaker of
the house, l.. l.. Stair of Bottineau and
other league leaders have been in fire.
quent conference with the governor
since Monday, and it is probable that
the message in some respects will re-
fleet their suggestions. 1t is under
stood that a general outline of what
the governor will ask was given the
league in secret caucus at the North
west last evening.
The secret aucus began early and
lasted late. 1t was conducted along
lines much similar to those followed
last year, with the absence Of Presi-
dent Townley, Chief Clerk Z. A. Bow
en- and organizer A. NJ. Thomson a
notable exception. In their places pre-
sided William Lemke, Howard Wood,
Governor Frazier, Anthony Walton of
Ward, Stair of Bottineau, Peterson, of
Towner and others who achieved lead
evship in the last session.
Not Much Secrecy.
There wasn't much secrecy about
our caucus" said Speaker Wood, early
this morning, following a midnight
conference with Governor Frazier and
William Lemke. Anybody that want
ed to come in just walked in" All Of
which is somewhat different from the
rule a year ago, when only those who
held the latest password passed the
sacred portals. . !
What They Did. .
Governor Frazier made a brief plea
for economy. He urged legislation fin
ancing and legalizing the state coun-
Gil of defense; comforting on it pow
ers of q safety commission, with right
to investigate sedition and espionage,
and suggested that $1,000 would suf-
fee to meet its needs, inasmuch as
during the nine months last past the
council had expended but $1,000.
The amendments to the grain grad
ing act adopted in caucus will remove
features held unconstitutional by the
supremen court when the act was test
ed there, will provide for financing
through a system Of fees, and will d.
vorce the system from the railway
commission and place 1t in charge of
an independent executive.
The amendments to the county seed
bonding act will provide that a farm.
or may draw both seed and feed war
rants UP to the limit of his needs, pro-
viding the whole aggregate for the
county does not increase the bonded
Indebtedness Of the county beyond the
constitution limitation of five percent
of the assessed valuation thereof.
The state militia bill now in course
of preparation and to be introduced to-
day was touched on, but not generally
discussed. 1t appears that the league
may approach this subject from more
than one angle, and that Anthony Wal
toms is not the only bill. The cau-
Gus was notable in that it recognized
equal suffrage. Several women were
present. ,t, ~.
Independents Organize
The Independent majority Of the SEN
ate and the insurgent minority in the
house met informally last evening and
discussed means and measures. Moth.