The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1920-12-30
By Charles B. Cheney, Sundays Min
neapolis eumal.

1t looks like a big winter for the
Minnesota Legislatures. Bills prepared
in advance on wide variety of sub
jects, and ready for introduction soo1
after the 42d legislature begins worl
Jan. 4, are more than enough for any
ordinary session to digest and dis
pose of.
Issues discussed in the recent state
campaign, and questions committed
by the legislature two years ago tx
special committees for study and re-
port at this session make up a heavy
program for the lawmakers. Owing
to the unusual advance activity by
various committees, it is possible be.
fore single bill is introduced to maj
cut to a large extent the array OF
subjects that will get special consid'
Grafton.
Some of them concern farmers OF
the state, especially. Others will be
Of interest mainly to employers ano
employees. Most of the business in
terests of the state are concerned in
oae or more Of the topics to come up
Women's organization, taking HAND
fr the first time in legislative coun-
ellis as citizens with equal voting
power, will back legislation on hui
manitarian and other lines especially
Of interest to women.
The legislature will have plenty OF
outside advice, but less than usual
this time from the executive branch
Of the government. Governor-elect
]. A. o. Preus has made it known
subjects of salient Importance. The
retiring governor ] "A. A. Burnquist,
message and touching only on a few
that he intends giving very brief
says he will make no recommends
Mons at all.
The legislature, however, is quite
capable of making up big program
of its own. Subjects it is consider
ing now cover subjects political, fin
ancial, economic and industrial. Near
ly all of them are highly practical in
their nature. Here are some of the
questions being prepared for consid-
Grafton:
Stimulation of CO operative
market enterprises and protec-
J ton of the public against pro-
fteering.
Legislation to make the Bah
cock road amendment operative,
including a new automobile tax
law and a system Of handling
the trunk highway system.
Amendment Of the primary
law to make it more efficient in
expressing the will of the people,
and to prevent minority rule.
Enactment if tonnage tax
royalty taxes on iron ore out
put for state revenue.
Revision of the workman's
compensation law as recommend
ed by interim committees.
Establishment of budget
system.
Reorganization of state de-
partments and commissions to
promote eHlcleuCy.
Provision for the state univer-
sity hampered by high costs, in
sufficient teaching staff to handle
its influx Of students, and sal
airy scale too low to compete
properly with other institutions.
Appropriations to meet the
evercrowding of other state in
stitutons.
Proposed restoration of capt.
tai punishment, and more severe
penalties for highwaymen.
A bank deposit guaranty bill.
A new law for leasing of
state mineral prospects on a roy
atty basis.
Codifcation of present dairy
and food laws.
Revision of school aid laws,
with proposed mill state tax.
Other subjects not much under
discussion now are pretty certain to
bob up during the session. There will
be agitation for a state public utili-
ties commission to take over control
of all utilities. There. will be bill
creating state police system to
cope with motor bandits and their ilk.
The proposed public domain depart
ment to take over the control OF
state land, timber and mineral re-
sources, probably will be revived
issue. The income tax issue may be
revived, and it is quite certain that
partial exemption of most personal
property and of residence structures
from taxation, which was proposed
two years ago, will be agitated
again. :.
Women's organizations already
have indorsed programs which will
be presented by their own commit
tees and will be given the respectful
consideration due to a large body OF
alert and intelligent voters. The va
rious organizations so far seem to
be pretty we'll agreed as to what they
want.