New Ulm review., 1919-02-19
LEGISLATORS MUST
VORK0N SATURDAYS
NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED "A:
YET AND ONE THIRD OF
SESSION GONE
uEACUERS INTRODUCE SEVERAL
PROGRESSIVE MEASURES;
MORE COMING

OnG-thIr0 OF the session Wnlcn Is
limited by the Constitution to 80 days
has gone by, and the members are be-
ginning to realize that they are not going
to properly handle the vast number of
bills introduced unless they put forth
extra effort and are commencing work
on Saturdays The organized farmer
members in the House have been in
favor of putting in full time from the
very beginning, but have been voted
down. More than 100 bills are now on
the calendar for final action.
The Highway Bill.
The Babcock plan for a comprehen-
sive system for public highways or trunk
road covering every part of the state
was the most important bill that so far
has passed both Houses. 1t went
through with Little opposition, only
three senators and eight House members
voting against it. The bill provides
for bond issue not to exceed $40 100000
year to be retired by sinking fund
created by a heavy tax on autos and
motor vehicles, supplemented by a
general property tax if necessary. The
latter feature the League farmers at
tempted to strike out, but were un-
successful.
The Bank Guaranty Bill.
Hon. A. c. Weleh, the League floor
leader, has introduced bill to guarantee
bank deposits. The bill is similar in
substance to the law now in force in
Kansas, Oklahoma and some other
states. There is tax laid of from, one
fourth to not exceeding sgne and half
per cent on all bank deposits to create
a fund out of which all depositors of
any bank that might fail shall be paid
ia full and without delay. The House
banking committee, being composed
almost entirely of bankers, is probably
hostile to the measure, but under the
rules this Committee will be compelled
to report the bill back in due time for
action by the House when hard fight
will be made to. secure its passage
The Motor Corps Act. ~.. ~. /.
The Motor Corps bill as finally amend
ed and passed provides that the Motor
Corps shall be at all time subject to the
call OF The Governor TOR the use singly
or in cooperation with other military
units, as occasion may arise for the
purpose of affording aid and relief to
communities threatened or stricken by
fires, floods, storms or other calamities
and for the purpose OF transporting the
military ;sFces OF the state when called
into active service. :. IN its course through
the House the bill was badly Hdehornea" !,
many OF its Objectionable features being
eliminated. The number of men was
cut in two in the middle, the gatling gun.
and arnlored cars and the provisions for
airships were all struck out, but Rep.
Girling who has a penchant for blurting
out the truth just when it is most en-
barrassing owned up when the debate
was getting the hottest that the main
purpose of the measure was to provide
the governor with easy and ready means
to suppress labor troubles and similar
gatherings. Every non-partisan League
farmer voted against the measure on
final passage.
To Take Care Of Returning Soldiers.
The House Committee on military
affairs has prepared bill which If it
becomes a law will create "Soldier's
Settlement Board" composed Of one
man appointed by the Governor, the
State Auditor and the Dean of the
Agricultural College, who will have
one million dollars to spend in aiding
returned soldiers and sailors in. estab-
fishing homes. Projects in cooperation
with the national government may be
undertaken involving the reclamation
OF lands within the state by drainage,
irrigation, clearing, building Of levees,
necessary roads, fertilization and sani-
tation. The bill contemplates COM
prefiensiye system of development of
state lands iaz s,iia iDv7ii..eetit Of soldiers
and sailors. The legis,.tt1re 5 being
stirred into Unusual activity in this
direction by Nthe example set by the
Heaeue- Legislature in North Dakota.
But little II any opposition to the plan
has 80 far developed.
TAe eigaret Bill.
Rep, Nofdgfehs Bin to prohibit the
sale Of cigarets to boys under IS and
their use has been favorably reported
and will very likely become a law. A
tax Of $500 per year is imposed upon
dealers from which is expected a revenue
of nearly 100000 will be derived an
nually for the benefit OF the road fund.
Public Re st Rooms.
Rep. Darby has introduced a bill to
require towns and villages of the 4th
class to provide @Rest Rooms" where
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