The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1921-02-24
ONE MAN RULE wins
Backers of the Babcock One Man
Highway Commissioner Defeat
Amendment Favoring Three
Man RuIe-Grain Grading
Bill Progresses.

Bill progresses.
st. Paul-Babcock as the lone high
way commissioner, or Babcock on a
commission of three men, for admin
istration of Minnesota highway legis-
lation, provoked the hottest debate OF
the session and ended in victory for
the single commissioner plan, by a
vote of 81 to "a on the three commits
siOner amendment.
Representative F. J. McPartlin raised
the ire of Representatives w. D. Wash
burn and O. c. Neuman, when he
charged that "sinister and insidious in
fluences" from outside had Influenced
some legislators to line up for the com
mission plan, when everybody under
stood at the time Of the vote on the
good roads amendment last fall, that
the legislation was to be carried out
by Mr.. Babcock.
Mr.. Neuman rose to inquire if he
was accused, and McPartlin replied,
"Any time 1 have charge to make
I will make it so definitely that every
body will understand who I mean"
The fight was precipftated when
Representatives J. o. Haugland and J.
N. jacobson introduced an amendment
to the committee bill, which was taken
up under special order, substituting
a three man commission for the single
commissioner plan. These commits
sioners were to be appointed by the
governor within 30 days. after the act
passed, and draw $4,000 a year.
Mr.. Haugland, speaking for the
amendment, said too large an amount
was to be handled for one man to take
charge, and there was too much re-
sponsibility for one person. The peo-
pie must have more assurance, he said,
and the bill fails to check and requires
no examination of the records or no
accounting. Chairman o. A. Swenson
directed him to read the bill and he
would find his statement was wrong.
Mr. jacobson, and all others oppos-
ing the one man plan, said no refec-
ton was made on Mr.. Babcock per-
sonally, but "he may die and some
body must fill the place." ~
Committee Favor Grading Bill.
Designed to prevent conflict and con.
fusion in federal and state grain grad
ing in anticipation of restoration OF
Minnesota grades, bill by Represen.
tative Nels Moen was recommended
for passage by the house committee
on grain and warehouses.
H. c. Flannery, assistant attorney
general serving the state railroad and
warehouse commission, prepared the
bill. Chairman C. M. Bendixen pointed
out that warehousemen must protect
themselves against the possibility OF
being compelled to sell under federal
grades grain bought on state grades.
Representatives A. c. WEIGH and c. R.
Wright answered that Minnesota far
mers will be glad, nevertheless, to get
back to Minnesota grain grades.
Quality will determine grain values
regardless of grades, Commissioner O.
P. B. jacobson of the railroad and
warehouse department said, because
grain dealing is largely on sample, and
favorable action followed.
The house municipal affairs commit
tee recommended the ''dog" bill to
pass. This proposed law provides that
in all communities except first class
cities, counties and cities may license
dogs, put the license money into fund
and use this money to pay damages
to owners of livestock or fowl which
are killed or injured by dogs. The
county under the bill then may hold
the owner of "a dog for the damages
paid out of this fund. The committee
raised the license fee to SIS on male
and IS on female dogs. Country men,
bers said they vigorously would op-
pose this bill on the floor of the house
on the ground that the average farmer
required from one to three dogs.
(. Food 1ilI Killed.
The committee on public health
killed Representative F. E. Miners bill
prohibiting the manufacture or pre-
paratfon. of food in easements. Sew.
eral protested against the bill, saying
it would require rebuilding of the
finest hotels in the state to comply
with this law if passed. ~
Humor was infected into hearing
on Representative Guy Dilley's bill re-
quiring any persons selling hair dye to
be registered pharmacists. j. M.
George said Mr.. Dilley introduced this
bill because one of his constituents
had bought some hair dye which
caused him to become baldheaded. Mr..
Dilley was not there to defend him
self to the committee deferred action.