The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1919-01-10

work in such an able manner that
they are entitled to the gratitude or
the whole state.
Peace Officers.
The appointment of peace officers
without uniform was also authorized.
These men have been of much assist
ance in securing evidence of disloy-
atty and have voluntarily made inves-
LEGATIONS as to such charges. Six MIN
dred have been appointed since the
organization Of the Commission.
Motor Corps.
One of the best institutions organ
ICED under the Safety Commission Is
what is known as the Minnesota Motor
Corps. Our state is the only state in
the country that has uniformed,
armed and organized military body of
this kind. 1t is composed of 124 Of
ficers and 2,450 enlisted men. Nearly
all of them are professional and bust-
ness men, who have unselfshly given
their time and the use of their cars
without expense to the state. They
have furnished their own uniforms and
equipment. The services performed
by these officers and men at the time
of the Tyler tornado and during the
recent forest fires are well known.
The war has not developed in Mime
sofa more useful body of men for
all emergencies than the Motor Corps.
Police Regulations.
On testimony and recommendations
of police officials and on voluminous
evidence procured through commits
sions appointed for that purpose the
Safety Commission has from time to
time adopted police regulations with
reference to the liquor traffic. Ship
ments into dry territory have been
ordered stopped and saloons closed
throughout the state from ten p. m.
to eight a. m. Regulations of public
dance-halls, billiard and pool halls
have also been adopted.
Orders Pertaining To Aliens.
The registration of aliens has been
required by the Commission, through
the Office of the State Auditor; 100000
such persons have registered. A per-
manent file of this information has
been made up and lists have been sent
to each county auditor. Illegal voting
and illegal holding of lands were there
by detected. One result of the pass
age of such order is the promotion OF
the naturalization of large number
of citizens who, through negligence,
had failed to become naturalized.
|. Labor Bureau Established.
A labor bureau was early estab-
lished to assist in solving the question
of farm help during the busy seasons.
Twenty-Five thousand men have been
placed through the service Of this
bureau, and more than 5000 of these
on farms. Members of the Commits
sion have been active in securing ade-
quate prices for grain and modifica-
ton of the present grain grades. The
taking of farm labor and crop CEN
sus at very little cost to the state
has been of much value in showing
the labor needs of the agricultural
districts, and in supplying useful
agricultural statistics. The Commits
sion has voted funds to assist in the
eradication of black rust, which threat
ened the destruction of the wheat
crop in some sections of the state. An
order providing that every male per-
son should be engaged in some useful
occupation was adopted, increasing
thereby the supply of labor.
Lockouts and Strikes.
The Commission has been opposed
to both lockouts and strikes during
the war. In accordance with an agree
ment, entered into between represen-
tatives of labor and employers organ
izations, an order was adopted for the
settlement Of disputes through the
submission of matters in controversy
to the State Arbitration Board. Be-
tween thirty and forty disputes were
satisfactorily settled by this board
under said order. The Commission
very early took steps to rid the state
of certain anarchistic agitators by re-
questing cities and villages of the
state to define such persons as va
grants and providing for their suitable
punishment. Such ordinances, where
enacted, have had the desired effect.
The Commission, having acquired in
formation with reference to disloyal
activities Of such professional revolu-
tionists, sent it's attorney to Washing
ton to communicate the facts in it's
possession to the Legal Department Of
the Federal Government, requesting
the Federal Government to take &C
ton against this lawless and anarchis-
tic element.
Food Regulations.
Food regulation was early taken
over by the Federal Government.
Prior to that time the Minnesota Com
mission made the so-called bread and
milk Investigations, reducing the price
of each to the lowest reasonable fig
ure. In cooperation with the state
timber department and different coun-
ties and villages, steps have been TAX
en- to make available for fuel the great
supply of fire-wood on state lands.
A potato market was established in
the Twin Cities under the supervision
of one of the Commissions agents. A
marketing committee was appointed
to assist the rural districts in secur-
ing cars and in other ways to facilitate
the marketing of products. The Board
of Control and the Game and Fish
Commissioner was appointed agents to
supply state fish to state institutions
and to the public at a reasonable rate.
Under this arrangement about 1,50C,-
600 pounds of fish have been caught
and the business thus conducted, al
though no profit was intended, has
netted the state about $4,000, and re-
duced the price of fish to consumers
In this state about fifty per cent. In
August, 1916, when it appeared that
there was great shortage of COAL the
Commission secured for Minnesota an
adequate supply.
Other Activities.
Among other activities that have
been carried on under the direction of
the Safety Commission, or in co-opera-
tion with it, are some of those of the
Americanization Commission, the Fed
eral Fuel and Food Administrations,
the Training Camps Association, the
War Industries Board, the War Rec
ords Commission, the Highway Trans