The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-01-17
"hole Nation Watches Only State
government in Hands of Toilers-
farmer-Governor Delivers Strong
Message on Fundamental Program
By A. B. Gilbert

By A. B. Gilbert
Jon January the North Dakots
legislature, the only state Legislature
IN the United States which the orpa
nized toilers control and thereforz
easily the most important of all, op
ened for business. Because Of the ov.
erWhelming N.onpart1san league
strength in both houses, organization
was completed in record time. The
usual lobby lineup dickering for this
and that favor for the special inter
ests was conspicuous by it's absence
In place Of the fat boys and theil
Hunkies were the weather-beaten
fur-coated farmers on hand for the
Legislature and renewing acquaint-
ances.
In the League caucus preceding the
opening Of the legislature, the farm
er representatives decided on L. l.
Stair of Bottineau for speaker after
a close vote. Shortly thereafter the
anti-farmer members offered to bach
Stairs competitor, Walter J. Maddox
for the office in the hope of causing
some dissension in League ranks, bnJ
the attempt was futile. At the open
ing session Maddox nominated Stail
as speaker and he was elected by a
vote of II to 80, with several League
men absent. In the senate the anti
farmer forces did not put up candi-
date.
FRAZIER'S MESSAGE
The message of the reelected farm
ex-governor, Lynn J. Frazier, to the
legislature was received with great
applause. The governor reminded the
legislators of the unusual character
of the work before them, the great
struggle which the people of North
Dakota had made to put them there,
and his central theme was: 'Let us
carry out our pledges to the people.
Governor Frazier said, in part:
members of the Senate and House
of Representatives
1.-TWO years have passed since L
first came before the legislature as
sembly to offer a few recommends
tions as to legislation deemed expedi-
ent. During the fifteenth session
some good laws were enacted, but un-
fortunately there was a controlling
element of opposition in the senate
which prevented the enactment OF the
program and the platform upon which
the administration was elected. The
majority of our voters have again
spoken in no uncertain terms, and
have honored those of us, in whom
they had confidence as public SER
wants, by reelection. I want to tahe
this opportunity to express my appre~
ciation Of the splendid endorsement
given the state administration and,
with your assistance and cooperation
I feel confident that we may accom-
plish much that will be of real bene-
fit to the state and its people.
STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES
"In order that the program and
platform on which we were elected
may be carried out, | recommend the
creation of an industrial commission
which shall have power to establish
and operate any and all pubic utill-
lies that the state may undertake.
"I recommend that under this cont
mission be established a Terminal
Elevator and Flour Mill association,
which will include the buying, selling,
storing and manufacturing OF farm
products. Finances to be raised by
The sale of state bonds.
Compulsory state hail insurance
mas been approved and by all mearis
should be put into operation at this
time.
"Among the most important public
needs in this state are cheap and
abundant light, heat and power. Elk
oeriments carried on by the School of
Mines have demonstrated great possi-
,ilities as to these matters through
he development of our vast stores
If Ignite coal. | therefore recon-
mend that state-owned and operated
in the production of Ignite