The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-03-25
MePartiin occupationaI Tax Bill De.
feated by House Group-Work
Period for state Employees
Changed.


Changed.
st. Paul-Occupational taxes, except
as applied to the iron mining industry,
received poor reception at the hands
of the State Legislature.
Representative F. j. McPartlin's oc-
cupational tax bin which would have
levied upon practically every business
and profession, was killed by the
House COMMITTEES on taxes.
Foes of the. McPartlin bill had
charged that it was designed as back
fire against tonnage tax legislation, but
this the author denied.
Three Favor Passage.
There were but three votes in the
committee in favor of the bill. those of
Representative M. B. Cullum, Duluth;
G. T. Murphy, Aurora. and H. A. Put
nam, Ottertail county. Those who
voted against the bill and in favor of
indefinite postponement were Repre-
sentatives Bendixen, Briggs, Haugland,
Neuman, Warner, WEIGH and Wicker.
Eight Hour Day Limited.
The state house, by vote of so to
43, went on record in favor of repeal
ing the eight hour day for state en-
ployees engaged in agricultural or
highway work At present all Mime
sofa employees come under an eight
hour day law passed in 1919, but the
committee on civil administration in
troduced bill providing the eight hour
day only for employees engaged in
inside work in all charitable, correc-
tional and penal institutions
Representative R. A. Wilkinson sue
ceeded in having the house adopt an
amendment to include prison and re-
formatory guards in the eight hour
day.
F. E. Miner moved to postpone in
definitely the bill and one of the live
Hest debates of the session followed.
Representative o. D. Nellermoe made
the main speech against repeating the
eight hour law for certain employees
and Theodore Christianson, N. T.
Moen, j. A. Baxter and others opposed
Miners motion.
Bills Recommended for Passage.
Among the bills recommended for
passage by the house are:
Making it felony for any person
convicted of felony to carry con-
cealed weapons.
Authorizing the railroad and ware
house commission to regulate distribu-
ton of railroad cars for grain during
car shortages.
agreements with lessees of state min
eral contracts for weighing iron ore in
crude state.
Permitting railroad and warehouse
commission to supervise installation
of track scales at terminal warehouses.
Raising salaries of certain court re-
porters to $1,000 year.
Highway Bill Advanced.
The Senate committee on highways,
by vote of IL to 5, approved of the
single commissioner plan of admins
tering the state. highway department
Debate on the question was brief and
was enlivened by an exchange of sharp
words between Senators James III. Hall
and W. A. Nolan.
Senator Hall wanted the matter de-
cided by the committee, contending
that decision was necessary in order
that the subcommittee preparing the
administration bill might complete its
work. Senator Nolan replied with
the charge that Senator Hall was
blocking early consideration of the bill
by raising the question and precipitat-
ing fight in the committee.
Would Curb Expenditures.
Taxes are rapidly becoming confisca-
tory and halt must be called on state
expenditures, Theodore Christianson,
chairman of the House committee on
appropriations, declared in state
ment showing that Minnesota taxpay-
ers will pay s74,000,000 to the state
in the next two years If all requests
for money are granted by the Legisla-
ture.
Ask Uniformity In Grading Laws.
Under suspension of the rules, bill
already passed by the senate, was put
through the house, providing for three
representatives and two senators to go
to Washington, after the session is
over, and petition the secretary of ag-
riculture to change the federal grain
grades, so they will more nearly con-
form to the old Minnesota state grades.
Prohibition Bills Stir Lawmakers.
A hot fight has been started in the
house over some stringent measures
for the better enforcement of the pro-
hibition law One of the bills would
limit the sale of flavoring extracts to
druggists and require the intending
purchaser to obtain permit good for
two years, and to sign an affidavit at
the time of purchase that he or she is
Fl years of age or over, is temperate
and has not violated the prohibition
laws. Another measure provides for
the search and seizure of automobiles
suspected of carrying liquor contrary
to law.
Removal for School Officials Asked.
Representative r. w. Hitchcock
would give the governor power to re-
move the trustee or director of anv
school district. The present law does
not provide removal for these officials
and Mr.. Hitchcock has introduced a
bill covering the subject. Another
measure sponsored by Mr.. Hitchcock
permits school boards to contract for
board and room for not less than 10
foo chors for a Deriad uof oxooos.--
five years. Difficulty in hiring teach
ers because of lack of accommodations
impelled introduction of the measure