The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-02-12


tration program" measures is
of the bills pending there is,
ence. of opinion not entirely bo
ent leaders have, as a rule, p'
members who have moved tn
bate have been frowned on by
1t is generally expected, how
ever, that the majority will en-
dcavor to solidify the "adminls-
tration program in the next week,
and if necessary use caucus rule
in putting through many measures.
independents have charged the,
Nonpartisans with filibustering
tactics and the Nonpartisans have
responded with denials and OPPOSE
ton at times to quitting work at 8
o'clock in the evening.
Scme Sectionalism Apparent
The Independents have worked
as a unit in the senate, but this is
not true in the house, and it will
be made more difficult in the last
two weeks because of the empha-
tic manner in which some of the
Independent leaders squelched new
members when they started to ac-
lively participate in debate earlier
in the session. These chickens are
now coming home to rOose. There
also is sectionalism in the house
which has not been apparent IN
the senate to like degree.
The big problem-the highway
problem, appropriations, election
laws. banking laws, tax revision
and the state enterprises--still
remain before the assembly in
whole or in part.
The highway fight has jumped
into the limelight as one OF the
biggest of the session mot only
because of the close division and
bitterness over it but also because
cR the far-reaching effect of the
proposed abolition of the state
highway commission and the dis
continuance of federal aid road
work. House bill No. 233, now the
crux of the matter, may be set.
tied in that body Tuesday and
Wednesday. If it is straight
out decision the problem may soon
be removed from legislative con-
sideration, but if there is attempt
to compromise work of disposing
of it will take up much time. While
both sides are confident, there is
no denying that there is great re-
sentiment against federal aid and
state highways control and it is
not unlikely the legislature will
pass the bill which would, many
believe, be one of the greatest
backward steps the state has TAX
en- in years.
Fight on Election Bill
The big bill of the election laws
program-th non-party state
election law-passed the senate, but
may not be considered in the
house before late in the week. A
big fight is being made against
senate bill No. 233, and there may
be compromise on it. Particular
objection is made to the provision
that candidate must have sigma
lures of 10 percent Of the vote
to get on the ballot. This would,
opponents contend, nullify the di-
rect primary principle. There,
too, is objection by some on the
belief that it would destroy par
ty government, and to belief
that it would serve to perpetuate
the Nonpartsan league: Those
who take this view point out that
the league has lost steadily in
membership and in power, that
many league leaders have modified
their views, and believe; that if the
party system is adhered to the
league may disappear or weaken
as a political unit to such an ex-
tent that it will be impotent. But
if the non-party election law goes
through the leaguers must have
their organization in order to func-
ton, and the fight between the In
Independent Voters Association as
one unit and the league as another
will become permanent in North
Dakota. If the law is passed it
will be referred to the people for
vote, leaguers declare.
The appropriations are being
disposed Of piece-meal, through in
dividual bills, and while the real
fights over education institution
appropriations have not yet ap-
peared, the legislature will be in
much better shape that on the last
night of the session two years ago
when the amnibus appropriations
bill was settled by few men in q
conference committee. Most of
the appropriations bills will be out
of the way in both houses this
week. There will be, as usual,
real scraps over appropriations for
various educational institutions.
Continued on rage 81