The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-03-13
EP0CH-MAKINC LEGISLATION
ADOPTED IN NORTH DAKOTA
SERIES THREE ARTICLES GIVING FULL REVIEW
AND EXPLANATION WHAT FARMER LEGISLATURE
ACCOMPLISHED.

Adjournment of the North Dakota
legislature makes it possible now to
give in full the "North Dakota pro-
gram as enacted into law by the
farmer lawmakers.
The 1919 North Dakota legislature
was the most economical in the his
tory of the state. It adjourned at the
end of 54 days, instead of waiting for
the legal limit Of 60 days. No ses-
sions were held on Sundays and holi-
days, so the actual sessions extended
over only 45 days. Further economy
was provided by cutting down the list
Of employees. These were chosen on
a civil service basis, instead Of dis
tributing jobs to friends and relatives
of legislators.
The laws passed by the North Da-
kota legislature naturally separate
themselves into four main groups
the bills carrying out the industrial
program, the bills amending methods
Of taxation bills for labor reform,
and miscellaneous measures, princi-
pally for the purpose of making the
states business more economical and
efficient.
Industrial Bills. N
The basis of all the industrial bills
is a constitutional amendment, adopt
ed by the people of the state at the
1918 general election and ratified by
the legislature, giving the state au-
thority to engage in any line of busi-
ness for the benefit of its citizens.
To carry out the purposes Of this
amendment, the legislature enacted
the industrial commission bill, Great
ing an industrial commission to be
composed Of the governor, commits
sioner Of agriculture and labor and
attorney general, to have general
charge Of all businesses in which the
state may engage.
The mill and elevator bill provides
that the state shall construct sys-
tenn Of terminal elevators and flour
mills operating under the name Of the
stNorth Dakota Mill & Elevator asso-
ciation." Another bill provides for
the issuance Of $5,0OO,0O in state
bonds to finance the system. The in
dustrial commission is given authority
to buy, store and sell any farm prod
ucts, which would include authority to
operate packing plants, cold storage
warehouses, etc, il considered advis-
able.
The bank bill is intended to carry
out the League pledge Of rural cred
it's at cost, to help in the operation
Of the mill and elevator act, and to
aid in the financing Of all state in
dustries. The "Bank Of North Da-
kotas Is created, with s., 1000 cap
ital supplied By the state, to be the
depository of all public funds and 70
act IS reserve bank for any Of North
Dakota's 7O1 state banks which may
elect to come under the system, which
most of them probably will do. The
hank is empowered to cell state bonds
DO to $40, 900, 900, lending the money
thus obtained at cost, 70 farmers on
first mortgages On real estate ct the
cost of handling the business It may
also lend money up 70 50 per cent on
tie value 81 grain Il state terminal
elevators. Il may rediscount paper
guaranteed 81 the banks which use ~
for j reserve, thus really increasiil1
the leadin9 power oS tthe local benkls.
ne home bun dlin biIl provides =
Splan by " hich taant 1a1n,e1s or casy