Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-02-06
: State Capital News

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Bismarck, N. D., Feb. S.-With the
completion of the fourth week Of the
Sixteenth legislative session 1t begins
to be possible to. judge something of
the scope Of Its undertakings. Already
the house has voted itself beyond the
time limit for introduction Of further
new bills, and the: senate rules limit
first reading Of bills to the 35th day
of the session-whIch is not far dis
tant. Most IL not all Of the Non
partisan leagues big program bills are
now In undoubtedly, and fairly COM
prehensive understanding of its plans
Is now available.
Creating Board of Administration.
Saturdays session resulted in the
Introduction of IS new bills in the
house and - in the senate--the latter
group Including one by Senator Cahill,
3. b. 134, known as the ''administra-
ton board" bill, which provides for the
creation of board Of three members
to have general supervision of all
penal and educational institutions and
of all public schools in the state-suc-
ceeding the board of education, the
board OF regents and the board of
control, us well as the Normal school
board Of control and the boards Of
trustees Of the various educational
institutions. The members of the
board, ACCORDING to the bill, are to be
appointed By the governor and are to
be paid salaries of $4,000 per member.
Highways Bond Bill.
Senate ijill No. 1913, also introduced
on Saturday, provides for the issuance
of bonds in the sum of $4,0OO,OO to be
expended under the direction of the
state highway commission for the ac-
QUESTION, construction and improve
nent of highways, including engineer
Ing Of state highways In conjunction
with the work of the government.
One-Man Tax Commission.
Among the products of the week in
the senate was the one-man tax COM
mission bill, fulfilling plank of the
platform laid down by Governor Fra
zier. This. measure was introduced
by the senate committee on taxes and
tax laws, and after abolishing the
present tax commission of three men,
bers 1t provides for the appointment
of tax commissioner at salary of
$4,000, who will be secretary of the
ooard of equalization and have general
supervision over the work of assessors.
Bonds for Erection Of Elevators.
The bill providing for issuance of
bonds to finance the work of erecting
flour mills and elevators also came up
by introduction in the senate during
the week. and provides for bonds In
the sum of $5.OOO,OOO. 1t was intro
duced by the committee on state af-
fairs.
$2co,0co to Attract Settlers.
The attraction of new settlers to the
state is the aim of newly introduced
measure In the house. having the ap-
proval of the Nonmrtisnn league
bureau, 1t is said, and providing for n
fund of 100000 for immigration pur-
poses. under direction Of commits
sioner of immigration who shall re-
ceive for his personal services $1,000 a
year. He will hold his office by ap-
pointment of the governor, and it shall
be his duty to.advertise the resources
of the state, to collect, accumulate and
distribute facts, statistics land infor-
nation with reference to educational
facilities, social conditions, govern
ment, Industrial conditions and natural
resources Of the state, together with
the advantages and inducements Of
fered by the state us place Of resi-
dence and especially for farming,
dairying and cattle ralsing.
Public Utilities Measure.
House Bill No. 81, general public
utilities bill, carries with it most
sweeping powers for the state, accord
ing to the descriptions of its provisions
carried in accounts published by the
friends Of the measure. The bill pro-
poses to confer upon the state railroad
commission powers to regulate, con-
troll, fix rates, determine charges and
supervise service of all public utilities
companies doing business within the
Slulc. Lie UAll pLOSluSS llluL lllc UUuTu
shall exercise these powers over all
common carriers, railroads, street rail-
roads, express companies, sleeping car
companies, toll bridges, ferries, tele-
graph and telephone companies, pipe
line companies, oil, gas, water and
electric light companies, heating
plants, stockyards and ali other cor
porations engaged in rendering public
service.
The board may change any intra-
state rate. charge or toll, may pre-
scribe just one in Its place and may
change or prohibit any particular de
vice or method or service in order to
prevent undue discrimination or favor.
itism between persons, localities OF
classes of freight.
These Were Killed.
Among measures falling Of passage
or recommended for indefinite post
ponement were:
Representative Pleusance's bill per
hitting school to be held Saturdays
when work has been disrupted by cpl
denies. ~
House bill proposing to outlaw the
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