Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-28
LEGISLATURES
ATLEACUE AND
HIGHWAY BILLS
Several States Have Impor-
tant Highway Improve
ment Problems.

st. Paul, Mimi, lam. 28.-NOn~
partisan league measures and bills
TOR good roads, reconstruction work
and state owned industries are to re-
ceive considerable attention from
legislatures in northwest states this
good roads will be the leading meas
ures of general consideration.
North Dakota, South Dakota and
Minnesota, particularly the two latter
states, are conside: ling broad highway
measures which contemplate the ex-
penditure of millions Of dollars. Mon
tana also is considering good roads
legislation, while Wyoming has. pri-
mary and prohibition problems to
keep its lawmakers busy.
The Minnesota program embraces
consideration of the Babcock good
roads bill-a measure submitted by
the state highway commissioner to
provide for a heavy bond issue and
the construction of 5000 miles of
state owned trunk line highways.
These roads would not only link every
important community in Minnesota,
but would connect with every trans
continental and north and south high
way which has been built, started or
proposed. Consideration of lateral
or cross roads also will be before the
Legislature, it is expected. Both the
house and the senate will probably
consider a report Of the fire relief
commission which, it is expected, will
mean the appropriation of more than
$1,000, 900 for relief in The section of
northern Minnesota which was devas-
tated by forest fires last fall.
The bill to prohibit gambling in
grain futures, introduced by Senator
Peterson of Moorhead, will be dis
cussed tomorrow at a public meeting
of the senate grain and warehouse
committee. P~eterson's bill would
make it a criminal offense for any
person to deal in grain futures, un-
less there vas a bona-fidc intention of
handling the grain.
High freight rates, unsatisfactory
interstate service and unusually soft
winter weather which ac~centuated
the states road problem, are *
pected to be considered by South Da-
urged the legislature to temporarily
TO get financial conservatism and
meet the road problem. The state
highway board has recommended a
program for road improvement which
would add 5000 miles of trunk high
way to the states system. The main
question seems to be the extent OF
bonding the state can stand.
Good roads problems will also be
before the North Dakota legislature.
The general assembly seems commit
ted to a broad .ogram for the next
four or five years and, like South Da-
kota, is considering ean to receive
important assistance from wne OF
motor vehicles.
Wyoming may take action toward
amending its primary law. The
Harding prohibition bill, called the
most drastic ever proposed in the
northwest, also promises considerable
debate. Under it's provisions every
person possessing liquor, which the
bill states means beverages containing
alcohol, must urn it yer to the state
commission of prohibition, and he is
compelled to destroy it. The bill
exempts licensed pharmacists, whole
sale druggists, manufacturing chem
lists and public hospitals.
A resolution for the investigation OF
several state departments and blu.
reaus has been adopted by the Mon
tana legislature. Inefficiency, useless
ness and extravaganza r alleged
Books, receipts and disbursements OF
the departments under fire are to be
audited.
Investigation of the Milwaukee