The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-13
LIMITING OF
M0RTGAGE0N
CROP DEBATED
Measure Attacked and De-
tended on Floor of House of
Representatives
MANY BILLS KILLED
House Continues to Apply
Axe to ''RObinsOn Bills
New Measures Up

Limitation or the farmer TO place
mortgage on his crops in anticipa-
tion of the yield furnished debate
in the house Of representatives this
afternoon. Because of the conflict
ing opinions expressed the bill was
sent to general orders for further
discussion.
The measure was supported as a
means of protecting farmers, par
.ticularly many in the western part
of the state, from crop mortgage
which would take al of the crop
and leave the farmer without suf-
ficient funds to get through the
winter. 1t was attacked, both as an
unwise step in paternalsm and as
an abridgement to the right of the
farmer to place mortgage on his
crop to enable him to hold his farm
when in bad circumstances.
Opposes Measure
The bill came before the house on
a majority report and a minority re-
port of the judiciary committee, with
Chairman Starke Of Stark county
heading the majority and Represen-
tative Twichell, Cass, heading the
minority report.
"Tbe effect of the majority report
is to take away from the farmer
tho right to mortgage his crop,
while the minority report would
leave him this right" said Represen-
tative Twichell.
The bill, introduced by Represen-
tative Hempel, which prohibited
making of crop mortgages, except Go
secure land purchase contracts or
rental, was amended in the majority
report to permit crop mortgages for
seed, labor or thresher's liens.
"The present law is protection
to the farmer" asserted Mr.. Twichell.
II know of many farmers in the val
ley who cannot put in a crop unless
they have right to mortgage the
crop. 1t permits the banks to carry
the farmer. until his next crop, and
to forbid this would be to put many i
farmers out Of business.
1T is another scheme of paternal-
ism whereby the government would |
tell the farmers and everybody else
what they can do"
Defends Proposed Change
Representative Starke, defending !
the majority report, said the pur-
pose was to leave the farmer free in !
the distribution of the proceeds Of
his crop.
Striking of such mortgages from !
the books will to large extent make
the farmer free man." said Rep.
Starke. "He is not now"
Rep. Walker declared farmers of
his neighborhood were for a linn
ltation of the crop mortgage.
"The greatest thing in this is the
moral effect on the farming industry
in the western part of the state"
said Rep. Vogel. He declared he
knew of some bankers who took ev-
the farmer had this fall.
and that it was these farmers who
are taking the "Nelson cure"
At the same time, he said, he re-
,ognized the danger in the bill, such
IS Rep. Twichell pointed out, in that
It would leave the farmers crops
open to all creditors to come in and
eize. He asked the bill go to gen.
.ral orders SO that perhaps the mid
lie ground on the bill could be
worked out.
Apply the Axe
The house continued to apply the
IKE ruthlessly to the "Robinson
'ills"-bills understood to be spon-
bred by Former Judge Robinson of
he supreme court On report of the
judiciary committee the house killed
I. B. 3, relating to use of land dur
lg the years. period ofredemption
fter foreclosure; H. B. 9 providing
contract could not provide that If
ne installment of money due was I
ot met any future payment could be
,ade due and payable; H. B. 16, pro-
iding appeals be considered without
egard to technical procedure; H. r.
providing an interest ratestf mort
age foreclosure redemptions. The
ouse also killed H. B.. 20 (Jackson),
xtending the time for recording me-
hanic's lien from 80 to 90 days from
ate of service. H~ :
First Bill Passes. f
The first house bill passed was
. B. a, by Heaton Of Burleigh, which =
xtended from 10 to Is years the :
eriod in which railroads may sell ;
luipment on installment payments. I
he vote was SO to 0. I
But five bills were introduced. :
ep. Lynch Of Ireland introduced a
III prohibiting private advertising 8
' candidate in the publicity PAM Q
nlet through the medium of cam Il,
aign notice. Rep. Peters bill pro- +
ded for one-cent flat acreage e
* to build up the hail insurance h
evolving fund; Rep. Coles bill T
ould repeal the county branding q
lspector law Of 1921, and Rep. Nc +
aurvan's two bills would repeal the n
very fee for sheriffs and. substi- h
tie 15,cent mile fee for travel
a official business for the present d
cent mile rate, {
Senate bills Nos. 8, Il, and 8, de- /
gned to eliminate distinctions in n
ection laws between men and wo- {
en-, were read for the, first time in I
le house.. n ftt
Rugby football celebrates its CEN
nary khis wear M !