Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-03-25
FOUR FARMER BILLS
PASS IN SENATE
ACTS TO PROHIBIT GRAIN GAM
BLING OPEN BOARDS OF
TRADE, GO TO PREUS

St. Paul, March 24.-Rural Minneso-
ia s demands for legislation to improve
farm and market conditions were an
swered when the state senate in less
than three hours, passed four OF the
principal bills of the so-caned farmers
program. These bills already had been
passed by the house. Three were
amended in the senate. but the house
quickly accepted the changes and re-
passed the bills the same day. They
then went to the governor.
The four measures in the order in
which the senate passed them, are:
First-A bill to prohibit short selling
and gambling in farm products, but pro-
tecting legitimate hedging. The vote
vote was 509 to II. ...-
Second-A bill to compel all boards
Of trade to admit farmers cooperative
marketing organizations to equal mem
bership. The vote was Al to IA.
Third-A concurrent resolution, re-
quiring re-establishment Of Minnesota
grain grades, and sending delegation
from the state legislature to urge con-
gress to modify federal grades accord
ingly. The vote was 81 to l.
Fourth-A bill for constitutional
amendment, permitting the state to es-
tablish rural credit system and loan
it's funds to farmers. The vote was un-
animous for the bill.
The rural cerdit amendment to the
state constitution does not require the
governors signature; it will go before
the voters of the state at the next
general election. A majority of all
those voting at the election will be re-
quired to pass it. South Dakota already
has such law in successful operation.
"Minnesota agriculture has won a
great victory" L. E. Potter, president
of the Minnesota Farm Bureau FEEDER
alton, said, '"The action Of the legis-
lature demonstrated that the needs OF
the farmer have at least been recog-
nized. These bills were passed in re-
sponse to the demand of 60.0O0 organ
lied farmers. <
"The futures bill has put the state Of
Minnesota on record as declaring short
selling and and gambling in farm pro-
ducts to be morally and legally wrong
This bill is the first law ever. enacted
for that purpose in the United States.
It must be tested in actual operation.
The legislature has decided that short
selling is wrong, and it has the power
to enforce its decision.
''Passage of the rural amendment
at the next general election, will bene-
fit every citizen in the state, consum-
er as we'll as producer. Every step to-
ward improving farm life and market
ing methods is step toward better
food and lower prices, as well as toward
a square deal for the farmer.''
Farmers Send Own Envoy to Capital
For the first time in the history of
the state, Minnesota farmers as an or
ganized body will have their person
al representative in Washington this
year to help shape legislation. Victor
E. Anderson: of Wheaton, treasurer Of
the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation
will go to Washington, April II, as a
member Of a national commission of
farmers. This commission, organized by
the national farm bureau federation
will confer with Congressional leaders
and heads Of government de-
pa1tments, and endeavor to clear the
way for the passage Of tax, tariff, CO.
operative marketing and other provi'
SiOns vital to agriculture,