The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-01-07
Many Complex Problems
Before Coming Session
C0NVENES IN BISMARCK
Most important Issues Relates
To Taxation; Work Out
program"
ASSOCIATED Press Disratch.1


Bismark, N. d. January MANY
complex problems will be considered
by the North Dakota legislature
which convenes In Bismark Janu-
airy 4. Most important OF the issues
relates TO taxation and the working
out Of the industry and enterprises
commonly termed as coming within
the program" OF the Nonpartisan
league.
Cessation of construction on in
dustrIal structures within the past
few weeks has added to the COM
plexity OF that particular field or &C
Iivity, Tor the Nonpartisan league
element srill is declared determined
TO put the ''program"iaws into COM
riete operation. Taxation changes
that will be proposed are expected
TO cover very broad field, for there
is marked desire on the part OF
the majority OF the legislature, to re-
duce the TAX burden OF the state.
Appropriation demands are greater
than ever, according to preliminary
estimates obtained by the state bud
get commission and the work of the
appropriation committee will be cor
resrondingly difficult in view of the
lawmakers desires to reduce expense.
In Session Sixty Days
The legislature will be in session
sixty days. The house OF represen-
tatives is controlled by the lndepen-
dent or anti NonpartiSan league fac
ton, SO to "a, while the senate, on
the face OF present returns, is con-
trolled by Nonpartisans, rs to "a.
One senatorial contest is pending, in
which an Independent candidate is
contesting the seat now held by
Nonpartisan., The contest arose in
until tcf
testing the election OF Dust Wog,
Nonpartisan.
Affairs OF the Bank of North OAK
ota and the various state public own
ed industries will get considerable
attention. following the report thai
will be made TO the legislature by
the state board of auditors, which
will complete its examination Of ice
institution before the assembly con-
venes, it is expected. The report of
the state board of auditors will be
legislature, These reports are await
ed with keen interest because OF the
fight that has been made to compel
greater publicity in connection with
the affairs Of state wooed industries.
1t is expected that the reports will
be made the basis for proposed leg
islation affecting the institution.
The Independent forces now stand
for the absolute repeal of the Bank
of North Dakota law, asserting that
the institution is menace to the
states financial interests" The lea
que faction favors a Strengthening
process, contendlng the bank is alb
solutely essential to carrying out the
industrial program. Tax, laws are
certain to command a great deal of
attention throughout the session The
administration stands for a strong
er tax on incomes, repeal of the
capital stock tax, adoption of an eff
fective tax limitation law to prohibit
subdivisions of the state from levy
ing excessive taxes, a county assess
ment law, and exemption of all class
es of personal property from taxa
ton.
Insurance Legislation
Insurance legislation to be pro-
posed includes the adoption of state
supervision OF fire insurance rates,
minor amendments to the state hail
insurance law, fixing of definite rates
on certain classes OF employment for
the WOrkmen's compensation bureau
and probably the establishment of a
state health and accident insurance
department.
Highway legislation most promi-
nent in the coming session will in
clude a proposal to ADOPT a system
similar to that in Minnesota to fl
nance construction of hard surfaced
roads. The North Dakota good roads
association is backing the movement
and is prepared to submit to the leg
islation law drafted much in the
same manner as the Babcock law in
Minnesota. While this legislation
will be urged in some quarters, other
factions, according to preliminary
announcements, will seek the aboli-
ton or the state highway commission
as now constituted, and will urge
the assessment of automobiles as
personal property, the proceeds to
go into the general tax fund. Auto
mobiles are now licensed, the pro-
ceeds going to road construction.
Several important banking laws
are anticipated, one dealing with the
state banking board. The board is
now practically without authority,
due to a decision of the state SUI
preme court, which held that powers
heretofore exercised by the board in
fact belong to the bank examiner
The bank examiner is appointed by
the governor and the governor and
two other state officials are members
of the. banking board. The decision,
taking the powers from the banking
board, was made in the case of the
Scandinavian American Bank of Far
go, closed by the banking board and
reopened by the supreme courts
order. .-. -
Establish Grain Board
\ An important proposal in con1ec-
ton with the state grain grading
department includes the establish
ment of a grain board of three mem
,bers. At present the grain inscec-
'tion act is administered by the presi-
dent of the state agricultural col
lege. Repeal Of the state immigra-
ton law has been proposed, in some
quarters and undoubtedly will be
brought up early in the session.
In connection with the state rail
way commission, 1t is declared prob
able an attempt will be made to
change the term of office from two
years to six years, electing one mem
Der every two years. At present the
entire board changes every two years
Legislation Strengthening the blue
sky laws of the state also is con-
templated. This proposed law will
have the support OF the North Oak
ota Bankers association, which takes
the position that the present law is
without affect. i
Salary increase proposals are ex-
pected to be numerous These, it is
said, will come from state officials
and from county officials. District
court Judges are also aYpootod IN