The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-01-16
WITH THE LAWMAKERS

bismarck, n. D.. Jan. 13.-The Nom
partisan league caucus at its meeting
Saturday evening endorsed two tenta-
tive bills embracing the principal tea-
lures of the leagues program for the
session, according to authentic re-
ports available here today. The
measures endorsed create an eleva-
tor. warehouse and flour mill system
to be owned and operated by the
state and known as the North Dakota
Mill and Elevator association. They
also declare the purpose of the state
to engage in the work of providing
homes for residents, under the name
of the Home Building Association of
North Dakota. The last mentioned
organization will receive deposits and
will be prepared to lend up to $4,000
for the erection of city homes and up
to $4,000 on farm property.
Earlier Caucus Action.
Actions of the Nonpartisan caucus,
Which are particularly significant
because of its clear majorities in both
houses of the assembly, include to
date a substantial agreement upon
two other important bills. n of
which is known as the parent bill
of the leagues state program. This
measure provides for the creation Of
an industrial commission for the
state, empowered to operate and
manage all state-owned utilities.
The bill, as now contemplated. will
constitute the governor, the attorney
general and the commissioner OF agri-
culture as the members of such COM
mission. Endorsed at the same time
with this. at a caucus held on Friday
evening. was IL measure providing for
the establishment of a S~tate-Owned
and state-operuted bank With Il capt.
talization up to S2.OOO,O0O. The pur-
pose of the bank will be to provide
necessary finance for the operation
of contemplated public utilities.
Big Program Mapped Out.
A survey of the work mapped out
for the session by its leaders has
given most observers the impression
that the full period of 60 days, al
lowed by the constitution, will prob
ably be required to complete its de-
liberationS.. Considerable talk of an
early closing has been INDUCED in,
and may possibly be made good, but
each legislator will have some pro-
iects in WHICH he is personally inter-
ested, and it is believed the leaders
will not attempt to hurry business to
the point of making it appear that
full d%eliberatiOn is not desired.
Speaker L. l.. Stair, who was
elevated to that position by a large
majority 1T at the opening Of the
session. according to caucus program,
has the lower house we'll organized
for the work before it. and the same
is tl>:e of Lieutenant Governor
Woods organization in the uppev
house.
While the number OF bills intro
duced to date has not been large, a
sufficient number have been presented
to get the various committees work
ing. and the Nonpartisan league cau-
Gus which has held Il number of SEES
sions with it's. leaders, is said to have
tentatively agreed upon the main fea-
lures of many important bills, several
Of which will be introduced by the
state atf;iSs committee Of the house.
Macdonald Loses superintendency.
Bismarck. Jan. lin. c. Macdon-
Md yesterday afternoon lost the suit
forced upon the state by his action in
refusing to voluntarily surrender his
office as state superintendent of public
instruction to Miss Minnie Nelson
upon the strength of her election in
November to succeed him. Prompt
action was obtained on this suit by
Attorney General LANCER. who began
custer proceedings against him before
the state supreme court. resulting in
a decision against Macdonald yeSter-
day as above stated. Miss Nelson,
the court holds. has prima facie evil
dence of her eligibility for the position
in the fact of her election to hold it
after q campaign in which the allega-
tons of her opponent We're made Il
part of the issue. Miss Nelson will
be assisted in her department by DR..
George \. MacFarland, formerly head
of the state normal school at Valley
City. and by J. w. Riley. former
superintendent of schools for Cass
county.
AandahI Chairman Of Railway Board
S. J. Aandahl of Litchville. the only
hold-Over member of the state railroad
commission, vas elected chairman OF
the board at its meeting for reorgani.
zation last week. With him on the
board are c. +. DApuiS of Williams
county and Frank Milhollan of Bur
leigh. J. II. C%alderhead. secretary fol
the past two years. will be continued
in the position. James \. Little. rate
clerk. will also probably be continued
in the employ Of the commission.
Support Presidents Peace Plan.
A concurrent resolution was pre-
scented by Senator Wexford Of PEN
5ina county today memorializing til,
Deace congress in behalf of Presiden
Wilson's II points and endorsing tn
movement for Il league of nations t,
maintain nnono EAnntn. Nnlfn,,