The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-01-31
LEAGUE TO HAVE
FOUR MONTHS TO
install PROGRAM
Referendum Cannot Prevent Is.
suance of Bonds and Estab-
lishment of Plants
STATE WILL BE COMMITTED
Amendment Gives Administra-
ton Privilege of Putting
Dakota in Hole

Dakota in Hole
In spite of anything or everything
that may be done by opponents, North
Dakota is committed to four-months
try.out of the leagues economic pro.
gram.
Every bill designed to place in op-
Grafton league theories of state social;
ism carries an emergency clause. If
passed with such emergency clause,
which requires a twO-thirds vote, each
Of these measures becomes effective
the moment it has received the gov
ernOr's signature
The filing of referendum petitions
against an emergency measure does
not under the initiative and refer
endum amendment to the constitution
approved at the last general election
suspend the operations Of such meas
ure. The law to be referred remains
on the job until referendum cleo
ton has been held. Then, if major
ity of all the votes cast are registered
against the measure, the law is re-
pealed.
The signatures of 10000 voters are
required to refer an emergency meas
ure. These 5000 0signatures must
have been procured not later than 80
days following the adjournment of the
session. Then, the secretary OF state
has 20 days in which to allow for
correction or amendment OF the petit
tions, should they be found insuffi'
icent. If such petitions are sutfl-
cient, the governor shall call a special
election not less than 100 days nor
more than 12G days following the ad'
journment of the session.
1t is not probable that should any
measures be referred the required 3O,'
90 signatures could be obtained in
less than 80 days. With all Of the
ramifying machinery at its disposal
the league consumed more than 80
days in procuring the required sigma
lures to it's initiative petitions last
summer. No organization opposing
the league has machinery at all ap-
preaching such perfection or thor
ounghness as that of the 'Nonparti.
sans. lis not likely that the refer
endum petitions could be filed with
the secretary OF state much short OF
the 80 days. Then IT amendment or
correction were necessary, the time
would be extended s@'20 days more,
which would make it impossible for
the governor to call an election short
of 120 days following adjournment
Even then such election would have
to be called on ten-days notice. a
More than 10000 votes were posi-
lively registered against all of the
league amendments under which the
\onpartisans are instituting their pro.
gram of state socialism. Coupled with
the passive or silent vote, which was
registered positively neither for nor
against the amendments, the number
of votes not cast for the proposals
ran in various instances all the way
from 10000 to $4,000. And there
were probably 10000 electors who did
not vote at all in the recent general
election. 1t is therefore probable
that if the opposition to the league
could begin thorough canvass in ev-
cry one of the states So counties i'm
mediately after the closing of the ses.
sion, it could within 80 days time OBJ
tain the required 10000 signatures
but it would be no easy task.
In any event, the several acts
would take effect Immediately follow
ing the governors approval and each
of these bills provides that the state
industrial commission shall set the
wheels revolving within 20 days fol-
lowing such approval. ,
In four months the league could
bind the states credit to the extent
of $7,O00,O00 through the issuance
and sale of $2,OO0;000 worth OF, state
bonds for the Bank of North Dakota
and $5,0OO,O0 worth of bonds for the
state mill and elevator association. In
addition there would be Immediately
appropriated for the expenses of the
bevy of new boards and commissions
created by league legislation further
sum of more than $2,000,OO0.
The state industrial commission
could place the Bank of North Dakota
in Immediate operation, transferring to
this institution all the public funds OF
the state and it's minor divisions.
which. including the permanent school
fund moneys, would aggregate from
$3O,O0O,OO to So, 100000. It could. by
Continued on PAGE FOur.'